Surgeon removes large brain tumours via eyebrow in global first
New eyebrow surgery method removes large brain tumours with quick recovery
A surgeon is now removing brain tumours “the size of large apples” through patients’ eyebrows, a method believed to be a global first. Consultant neurosurgeon Anastasios Giamouriadis, based in Aberdeen, has adapted an existing technique to excise these growths, resulting in only a small scar and a black eye for patients. The surgery can be completed in three hours, allowing some patients to leave the hospital within 24 hours and return to work shortly after.
Mr Giamouriadis explained, “With this technique, patients wake up immediately, sometimes going home the day after surgery, which leads to quicker and better recoveries.” Traditionally, removing tumours from the front of the brain required a craniotomy, involving the removal of a significant portion of the skull and exposing healthy brain tissue.
Mr Giamouriadis, who works for NHS Grampian, has modified the existing technique to provide “more space through the eyebrow,” enabling the removal of very large brain tumours. He described the method as “a game-changer and much less invasive,” avoiding the extensive forehead scars associated with traditional surgery.
A surgeon working in Scotland has developed a way to remove brain tumours the size of apples through patients’ eyebrows in what is believed to be a world-first for the procedure.https://t.co/MYdbJUwhjf pic.twitter.com/gOUQcx8e51
— STV News (@STVNews) October 25, 2024
Previously, a craniotomy required up to three hours just to access the tumour, with the entire procedure taking eight to ten hours. Doreen Adams, 75, underwent a craniotomy abroad before having the eyebrow method last year, known as the Modified Eyebrow Keyhole SupraOrbital Approach for Brain Tumours. She said, “The recovery after the craniotomy was tough. I contracted sepsis and was ill for weeks, with a lengthy recovery. Unfortunately, that surgery did not resolve the issue.”
Adams noted the stark difference between the two surgeries, stating that her recovery was much quicker with the new method. She was discharged two days later and swiftly returned to her normal life.
Mr Giamouriadis and his team have performed this innovative procedure on 48 patients to date. Discussing his technique, he remarked, “We are not aware of anywhere else in the world that has managed to remove tumours as large as we have.” He also expressed hope that virtual reality could one day be used to train other surgeons in this advanced procedure.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Johns Hopkins Medicine provides a comprehensive overview of craniotomy, highlighting its uses in brain tumor surgery, aneurysm treatment, and neurosurgical approaches, emphasizing precision and safety in complex procedures.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How are brain tumours being removed through the eyebrow?
Surgeon Anastasios Giamouriadis uses a modified technique to excise brain tumours through the eyebrow, minimizing scars and recovery time.
What are the benefits of the eyebrow surgery method for brain tumour removal?
Patients experience smaller scars, quicker recovery, and can often leave the hospital within 24 hours.
How does the recovery compare between traditional brain surgery and the eyebrow method?
The eyebrow method results in a quicker recovery, with patients often returning to normal life swiftly, unlike the lengthy recovery from traditional craniotomy.
How long does the eyebrow surgery for brain tumour removal take?
The surgery can be completed in three hours.
How many patients have undergone the eyebrow brain tumour surgery?
Mr Giamouriadis and his team have performed this procedure on 48 patients.
