Apollo Cancer Centres Achieves World’s First Keyhole Surgery For Insular Brain Tumor

A team of neurosurgeons at Apollo Cancer Centres (ACC) in Chennai, India, successfully accessed and removed a deeply seated insular brain tumour using a novel eyebrow keyhole approach. The hospital in a press statement on Tuesday said that this  pioneering technique, marks a significant advancement in Neuro-Oncology, providing a safer and more efficient method for removing these challenging tumours.

The patient, a 44-year-old woman, was diagnosed with an incidental tumour located in the dominant-side insular lobe of her brain following minor trauma. The insula, deeply embedded within the cerebral cortex, is surrounded by critical areas that control speech and movement, making surgical intervention highly complex and risky.

Traditional surgical methods for insular tumours involve navigating through vital brain tissue and blood vessels, increasing the risk of complications such as paralysis, stroke, and language impairment. Recognising the need for a less invasive solution, the neurosurgical team at Apollo Cancer Centres developed a transformative keyhole approach. This innovative method utilises a minuscule incision in the eyebrow, providing a direct route to the insula while minimising collateral damage and enhancing patient safety.

Dr Hrishikesh Sarkar, Senior Consultant in Neurosurgery at Apollo Cancer Centres, emphasised the significance of this achievement. "Like the historic landing of ‘Chandrayaan’ on the moon's south pole, this groundbreaking surgical approach opens up a new frontier in neurosurgery. The eyebrow keyhole approach offers a transformative alternative to reach deep-seated tumours inside the brain, reducing invasiveness and significantly enhancing patient safety and overall quality of life."

Dr Agnetia Vinoth, Consultant in Neurosurgery at Apollo Cancer Centres, highlighted the innovative nature of the procedure. "Faced with a profoundly intricate case, our neuro team was compelled to challenge the conventional boundaries of neurosurgery. Opting for an unconventional route, we utilized the eyebrow keyhole approach, an ‘out of the box’ technique that minimized risks and maximised safety for our patient."

Dr Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprises , praised the team’s dedication to innovation. "At Apollo Cancer Centres, our unwavering dedication to innovation has once again propelled Indian medical science onto the global stage. The recent milestone of performing the world's first transformative keyhole approach for an insular brain tumour is a triumph for our entire nation. This achievement showcases India's ability to pioneer groundbreaking medical advancements with the potential to reshape healthcare worldwide."

The patient expressed gratitude for the advanced treatment and care received at Apollo Cancer Centres. "I am deeply thankful to Apollo Cancer Centres for making my surgery less challenging and ensuring swift recovery. The care and advanced treatment I received not only healed me but gave me hope, comfort, and a shorter return to normalcy. I thank the team of neurosurgeons for treating me with utmost care and offering me a new lease on life."