Fortis Hospital Anandapur successfully carried out a rare and highly complex 12‑hour brain surgery to remove a large brain tumour, about the size of a lemon from a 40‑year‑old woman from Yangon, Myanmar. The procedure was led by Dr. G. R. Vijay Kumar, Director of Neurosurgery at Fortis Anandapur. The tumour’s size, location, and its entwined position owing to its proximity to the critical brain structures made the surgery particularly demanding.
The patient had been suffering from severe headaches, progressive loss of balance and diminishing vision since the past four months. She had lost complete vision in her left eye and showed weakness on the right side of her body when she was admitted at Fortis Anandapur. Detailed Clinical Examination of the patient revealed exceptionally large clinoidal meningioma, (a type of non-cancerous brain tumour that grows near the base of the skull), which was compressing her optic nerves), optic chiasma (the point where the optic nerves cross each other) and major blood vessels that supply vital areas of the brain. Such tumors are notorious for being among the most difficult to treat, as even minor surgical error could result in permanent blindness and also paralysis.
The operative team decided to perform a complicated craniotomy (surgically opening a part of the skull to access the brain) and microsurgical removal considering the size of and critical location of the tumour. The operation lasted for over 12 hours. The tumor was tightly wrapped around critical brain structures, making the surgery extremely complex and high-risk. Despite these challenges, the surgical team successfully removed the entire tumour without causing harm to any of the essential neurological functions such as movement, vision, or speech. The patient has shown remarkable post-operative recovery. She is gradually regaining strength in her arms and legs and her vision has started to improve. Currently, she is able to walk with support and is expected to make a full recovery over time.
Speaking on the case, Dr. G. R. Vijay Kumar, Director, Neurosurgery, Fortis Anandapur, said, “This was one of the most complex brain tumour cases we have treated. The tumour was extremely large, measuring about 7.7 × 4.3 × 5.8 cm (roughly the size of a large lemon) and was located in a region of the brain that controls vision and motor functions. The tumour was entangled with vital blood vessels and nerves, making every step of the surgery extremely critical. Such surgeries require immense precision, patience and teamwork. The fact that we could remove the tumour completely and see the patient recovering well is deeply rewarding.”
Highlighting the hospital’s expertise, Mr. Ashish Mukherjee, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Anandapur, added, “This successful surgery underscores our hospital’s ability to handle highly complex neurosurgical cases with advanced technology and expert clinical care. Patients from across the region including neighbouring countries are increasingly choosing Fortis Anandapur for specialized treatments, reflecting the trust we have built in delivering world-class healthcare in Eastern India.”
