A few days after the first awakening neurosurgery method was successfully conducted by doctors in Vietnam-Germany Hospital, ‘behind the scene’ story was shared with the public by the ‘insiders’.

In more than 3 hours, doctors of Vietnam Germany Hospital have performed successful surgery for brain tumor by awakening surgery method, in which the patient remained awake for 1 hour while singing traditional song "Quang Binh my hometown" of the homeland and “gossip” with the surgeon.

Talking to reporters on the afternoon of March 26, Assoc. Dr. Dong Van He - Deputy Director of BV Vietnam Germany - Director of Neurological Surgery Center (Vietnam Germany Hospital) said that the doctors of the hospital have just successfully performed a case by awakening surgery method.

The doctor and the patient after the surgery

Patient Cao Quang Canh, born in 1964 (in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh) was originally a doctor. Due to one brain tumor, not long ago, the patient often had numbness in the left arm, left leg, and sometimes had difficulty in movement and could hardly grasp objects in the right hand - left hand. Occasionally, the patient may feel staggered caused by headaches.

Associate Prof. Dr. Dong Van He and patient Cao Quang Canh shared information at the press conference: “The patient went for the general examination and brain scan in Hue at the end of January 2019. The doctors said that Canh had a brain tumor with the size of 2.3cm x 3.6cm.

"To check again, I went to Hanoi to Vietnam Germany Hospital to re-examine. The results were the same. Here, I was briefed by the doctors about the method of awakening surgery. Before that, I had also heard about this method through the media, so I spoke directly with the doctor, then discussed with my family before opting this method of surgery, ”Recalls Cao Quang Canh.

The surgery took place on March 22 for more than 3 hours, during which the patient remained awaken for the first 1 hour. The doctors carried out a complete cut of the tumor which was situated in the patient's brain.

“Doctors conducted the brain surgery and in 1/3 of the initial surgery time the patient was fully alert, not anesthetized. During the surgery, the patients still talked, sang a song, so that the doctors can identify the crucial nerves, avoiding cutting the nerves which are responsible for movement. If some important nerves are cut or damaged during the process of removal of the tumor, the patient may be paralyzed,”emphasized Dr. Dong Van He.

Canh, the patient said: "I underwent a very special operation, because of the fact that the doctors removed my brain tumors while I was completely awake. In contrast to fear, I was a bit excited. When the doctors were operating on my brain tumor, I was still able to interact with them and interestingly, I was not feeling any pain at all. I felt I was lying and talking with the doctors in normal condition.

"In order to perform the surgery smoothly, the doctors also told me to try to sing the whole song. I did not know how to sing, but I decided to try the traditional song of my homeland "Quang Binh, my hometown" and sang completely in the surgery "- Cao Quang Canh added.

The patients also shared his condition before surgery, the left hand was his dominant hand but he could hardly grasp any object by this hand. However, after this surgery, now, the fingers on his left hand moved more easily. The patient was able to hold the chopsticks and spoons as well.

The first neurosurgery performed with the help of Japanese doctors in January. Photo: Vietnam - Germany Hospital

Sharing more with the press, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dong Van He informed that the period of time, 1 hour, throughout which the patient remained awaken is quite long for a surgery.

“This is a new method of surgery, requiring patients to be brave. Because the patient is still conscious, he hears the sound of the skull drill, the cutting sound of the technical instruments performed right above his head, the sound of doctors' communication. Therefore, if the patient is in panic, uncomfortable, scared, the surgery cannot be successful. In this case, the patient was a bit grouchy at first, his voice was trembling when talking to the surgeons and other team-members. However, after that, the patient cooperated very well with the surgeons and his team ”- Associate Prof. Dr. Dong Van He said.

Previously, two months back, in Vietnam Germany Hospital has also successfully performed two brain tumor surgeries by awakening method, however, with the help of experts, a team of surgeons from Japan.

In this case of surgery on March 22, the operation was completely performed by doctors of Vietnam Germany Hospital" - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dong Van He said.

Doctors said that the method of awakening requires close coordination between surgeons, anesthetist and modern equipment systems such as means for cortical stimulation, monitor monitoring during surgery.

Doctors use these devices to stimulate the motor area, the cortex helps patients to identify whether or not they are hurt. Meanwhile, anesthetist applies all possible options if the patient is in pain, discomfort, unable to coordinate during surgery, etc., ensuring absolute safety for patients.

It is also noteworthy that the cost of surgery for brain tumors is not higher than the common method./.

( Translated by N.Minh )