Why a patient was playing guitar during brain surgery
The incredible moment a patient serenaded doctors in the middle of brain surgery has been captured on camera.
Taskin Ibna Ali from Dhaka, Bangladesh, remained awake and played the guitar while doctors carried out brain circuit surgery to treat his neurological disorder ‘guitarist dystonia’ at Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain Hospital on May 17, Deccan Chronicle reports.
The 31-year-old, who is reportedly a computer engineer and professional guitar player, had been losing dexterity in his left hand over the last few years.
He first experienced discomfort in his middle finger in 2013 as he played his instrument and the condition eventually also impacted the other fingers of that hand.
According to the Deccan Chronicle, the man’s career began to be affected and his capacity to play his instrument had dropped by nearly 80 per cent.
“The musician’s dystonia is an uncommon disorder in India and affects around one per cent of the musicians,” Dr. Sanjiv CC told the Deccan Chronicle.
“It is very difficult to treat and surgery is one of the best options.”
During the operation, the patient was told to strum the instrument to ensure no areas of the brain which control motor skills would be burnt away, Inside Edition reports.
The patient was also reportedly able to handle a mobile phone and toss a coin during the surgery.
Neurosurgeon Dr Sharan Srinivasan told SWNS the surgery is performed under local anesthesia.
“The patient needs to be fully awake and repeatedly play his guitar, and also perform other activities he found difficult,” Dr Srinivasan said.
The surgery has been described as a success, with full use of four of his fingers reportedly returning almost immediately.
The other finger’s use had partially returned following the procedure and with post-operative neuro rehabilitation it eventually recovered 100 per cent.
