In a remarkable medical achievement, a team of neurosurgeons at Gleneagles Hospital in Chennai has successfully performed a complex single-stage surgery to remove multiple brain tumors from a 75-year-old woman. This rare procedure, undertaken considering the patient's advanced age and existing health conditions, marks a significant milestone in neurosurgical care.
A Daunting Diagnosis and the Decision for Surgery
The elderly patient, hailing from Puducherry, arrived at Gleneagles Hospital Chennai in December 2025 with a troubling set of symptoms. She had been experiencing a progressive decrease in vision in both eyes and weakness in her left upper limb for two months, accompanied by intermittent headaches. Her condition was steadily worsening. Adding to the complexity were her long-standing comorbidities: diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
A detailed MRI scan revealed the root cause: multiple meningiomas (brain tumors) located in different regions of her brain. One larger tumor, measuring 4.5 X 5.0 cm, was situated in the occipital lobe, the area responsible for controlling vision. A second, smaller lesion of about 2.8 X 3.0 cm was found in the motor cortex, which governs movement. These growths were exerting pressure on vital neurological structures, leading directly to her vision loss and limb weakness.
Given her age and health history, the patient and her family were initially hesitant to consider surgery. However, the medical team, spearheaded by Dr. Nigel Symss, HOD and senior consultant neurosurgeon, and Dr. Venkatesan S, senior neurosurgeon, counseled them on the critical nature of the situation. They explained that both tumors were in crucial locations and would likely grow, causing further neurological deterioration. This crucial counseling led the family to finally consent to the operation.
The Surgical Challenge and Innovative Execution
The pre-surgical evaluation, involving neuro-critical care and anesthesia teams led by Dr. Prasad Kumaresan and Dr. Mohana Selvi, concluded that a single-stage procedure to remove both tumors was the best course of action. This decision itself presented a formidable challenge.
The primary surgical hurdle was the positioning of the patient. The tumors were located far apart—one in the occipital (back) region and the other in the frontal region. The team had to devise a way to position the patient's head to allow easy access to both sites without needing to reposition during the surgery.
During the five-hour-long surgery, the team employed state-of-the-art technology to navigate this challenge. They first addressed the larger occipital tumor. Utilizing advanced brain mapping, navigation guidance, and ultramicroneurosurgery techniques, the surgeons performed a minimally invasive resection, completely removing the tumor. The smaller frontal tumor was then approached and removed in a similar meticulous fashion.
A Landmark Outcome in Advanced Neurosurgery
The procedure was a complete success, with both meningiomas successfully excised in one go. This case is particularly notable due to the patient's age and the presence of multiple comorbidities, factors that typically increase surgical risk exponentially.
The successful outcome underscores several key points in modern healthcare:
- The critical role of detailed patient counseling in building trust and enabling informed consent for complex procedures.
- The immense value of multidisciplinary team planning involving neurosurgery, anesthesia, and critical care specialists.
- The transformative impact of advanced neurosurgical technology like brain mapping and navigation in tackling intricate brain surgeries with precision and minimal invasiveness.
This complex single-stage surgery at Gleneagles Hospital Chennai not only provided a new lease of life to the 75-year-old patient but also sets a benchmark for handling similar high-risk neurosurgical cases in India, demonstrating that age alone need not be a barrier to advanced, life-changing medical intervention.
