In a major milestone for healthcare in south Odisha, surgeons at the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) and SUM Hospital, Sitalapalli, have successfully performed a complex brain tumour surgery on a 60-year-old woman, marking the first use of such an advanced neurosurgical technique in Berhampur.
The patient was admitted with severe headaches and weakness in her left upper and lower limbs. An MRI scan revealed a large tumour in the left cerebellopontine angle (CPA), a sensitive region at the base of the brain located close to the brainstem and cranial nerves controlling facial movement and hearing.
To remove the tumour, the neurosurgical team used advanced technologies, including a high-precision neurological microscope and a Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA). These tools enabled surgeons to precisely identify and remove tumour tissue while preserving critical nerves and healthy brain structures.
The near-total excision of the tumour was led by Dr. Pravat Kumar Jagadev, Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, with support from Dr Pratyush Kumar Mishra of the Neuro-Anaesthesia Department and the neurosurgical operation theatre team.
Following the surgery, the patient developed Grade-II facial palsy, a known complication in such cases due to the tumour’s proximity to facial nerves. Hospital authorities said she is recovering steadily and showing improvement through physiotherapy.
Medical experts described the operation as a significant advancement for healthcare in South Odisha, demonstrating that sophisticated neurosurgical procedures can now be performed locally.
Congratulating the team, IMS and SUM Hospital Director Deba Prasad Dash said the surgery marked a landmark achievement in advanced neurosurgical care in the region. He said the successful use of technologies such as the high-precision neurological microscope and CUSA reflected the institution’s growing expertise in handling highly complex brain surgeries and highlighted the dedication and teamwork of the medical staff.