Advanced brain surgery… and the patient is fully awake at King’s College Hospital, London

In a qualitative step that reflects the rapid development in the health sector in the UAE, King’s College Hospital London – Dubai announced its success in performing the first awake craniotomy, in a medical achievement that is considered one of the most prominent developments in the field of neurosurgery at the state level.

The operation, which took about five hours, was led by consultant neurosurgeon Dr. Anila Darbar, with the support of an integrated team of neuroanaesthesiologists and the operating team, within an advanced medical environment based on the latest technologies.

The patient, aged 35 years, was suffering from epileptic seizures as a result of a brain tumor in the left motor cortex. During the operation, the patient remained awake and fully responsive, which allowed the medical team to directly monitor vital brain functions and reduce the risk of affecting the areas responsible for movement.

Before surgery, the team used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology to pinpoint the exact location of the tumor and its relationship to vital areas of the brain. Due to the nature of the tumor location and its unclear boundaries, awake surgery was adopted to ensure the highest levels of accuracy and safety.

During the procedure, direct electrical stimulation was used to map the brain’s functions, as the patient was asked to perform simple movements such as moving limbs and facial expressions, which enabled surgeons to precisely identify and maintain vital areas during tumor removal.

Awake brain surgery is considered one of the most advanced techniques in neurosurgery, especially in cases related to the areas of movement and speech control, as it allows an immediate response from the patient, which significantly reduces the risk of long-term neurological complications.

Dr. Anila Darbar said: “Awake brain surgery gives us an unprecedented level of accuracy, as it allows us to directly monitor brain functions during the operation, which helps protect vital areas and achieve the best results for the patient.”

This achievement reflects the great progress achieved by King’s College Hospital London – Dubai in the field of neurosurgery, and emphasizes the importance of integration between the surgical, anesthesia and medical imaging teams in providing advanced health care.

This success also strengthens Dubai’s position as a leading regional center for advanced healthcare, and provides patients with access to world-class treatments within the country without the need to travel abroad.