AIIMS Jammu marks a new achievement in reconstructive Neurosurgery

JK News Today

Jammu, March 17: The Neurosurgery Department at AIIMS Jammu has marked a new achievement by successfully executing a highly intricate reconstructive surgery on a 15-year-old girl from Pathankot, who was suffering from a rare bony tumour affecting her forehead and eye socket.

The young patient was diagnosed with an aneurysmal bone cyst, a benign yet aggressive tumour that resulted in a noticeable facial deformity and a gradual loss of vision. This condition had a significant impact on her self-esteem, even preventing her from attending school. The case was particularly challenging due to the tumour’s tendency to bleed heavily, and in this instance, it was also invading the brain and receiving a part of its blood supply from the healthy brain.

The surgery, which involved weeks of meticulous planning, was conducted by Dr. Kanav Gupta and Dr. Shaurya Darbari, Assistant Professors in the Neurosurgery Department, with support from the anaesthesia team led by Dr. Raksha Kundal, Associate Professor, and Dr. Aleesha, Assistant Professor (Department of Anaesthesia)

During the procedure, several advanced technologies were utilized. Intraoperative navigation assisted the surgeons in accurately identifying the tumour’s deep extensions around the eye socket. A cell saver system was employed to collect, purify, and re-infuse the patient’s own blood, eliminating the need for extensive blood transfusions. After the complete removal of the tumour, the bony defect was reconstructed using a titanium graft. The eyebrow area, essential for cosmetic appearance, was carefully reconstructed using a quick-setting polymer bone putty, moulded during the operation to match the natural shape and contour of the opposite eyebrow.

The young girl has made a good recovery and is now ready to be discharged with restored facial symmetry and vision a transformative change for her and her family.

Reflecting on the achievement, Dr. Shaurya Darbari, Officiating Head of the Department of Neurosurgery, stated:

“This case underscores the progress our department has made since its establishment just seven months ago. We have been tackling highly challenging cases many deemed inoperable elsewhere and have already performed over 120 neurosurgeries. Patients from Jammu, Kashmir, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh are now coming here for advanced neurosurgical care. The pace of growth and innovation has been very encouraging.”

Prof. (Dr) D.N. Sharma, Executive Director & CEO of AIIMS Jammu, expressed pride in the accomplishment, saying:

“The success of the neurosurgery team is a source of great pride for the entire institute. Until recently, patients from this region had to travel long distances to AIIMS New Delhi or PGIMER Chandigarh for complex brain and spinal surgeries, often facing long waiting periods. That expertise is now available right here in Jammu and this achievement reflects AIIMS Jammu’s commitment to delivering world-class healthcare locally.”