KIMS hospitals cross 10,000 brain tumour surgeries milestone; launches advanced Robotic Digital microscope
Hyderabad, June 7
Marking a major milestone in advanced healthcare, KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad, on Sunday announced the successful completion of over 10,000 brain tumour surgeries.
To commemorate World Brain Tumour Day, Dr B Bhaskar Rao, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of KIMS Group of Hospitals, unveiled a state-of-the-art Robotic Digital Microscope designed to enhance precision in complex neurosurgeries.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bhaskar Rao emphasised how rapidly evolving medical technology is simplifying complex surgeries and accelerating patient recovery.
"The newly launched Robotic Digital Microscope will be a game-changer in treating intricate brain and spinal cord disorders. Early detection coupled with cutting-edge technology like Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, which is available at KIMS, makes successful treatment highly achievable," he said.
Dr Rao also raised concerns over modern lifestyle shifts, noting that prolonged usage of smartphones, laptops, and high-volume earphones, combined with a lack of physical activity among the youth, could severely impact brain health.
Highlighting the clinical aspects, Dr Manas Kumar Panigrahi, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, warned against the common habit of dismissing recurring headaches.
"A persistent headache, especially one that is severe upon waking up in the early hours of the morning, should never be ignored. It could be an early warning sign of a brain tumour," Dr Panigrahi cautioned.
He revealed that nearly 10% of the 10,000 surgeries performed at KIMS were on children, debunking the myth that brain tumours only affect older demographics.
Explaining the utility of the new robotic equipment, Dr. Panigrahi stated that neurosurgeries demand extreme precision due to the delicate nature of the brain and spinal structures.
The Robotic Digital Microscope offers high-definition clarity, helping surgeons distinguish between healthy brain tissue and tumours, thereby minimising collateral damage and ensuring safer outcomes in spine surgeries and nerve decompressions.
Dr Panigrahi made a strong case for policy changes in preventive healthcare, noting that routine master health check-ups and standard insurance packages extensively cover cardiac evaluations but completely omit brain scans. He urged the inclusion of brain screenings in standard health packages to facilitate early diagnosis and save lives.
Echoing similar concerns, Consultant Neurosurgeon Dr Shwetha outlined the varied symptoms of brain tumours, which depend heavily on the tumour's size and location. Apart from progressive headaches, symptoms include Vomiting and blurred or double vision, Seizures (fits), Weakness in limbs, slurred speech and Memory loss and sudden behavioural changes.
"Brain tumours are among the most common cancers found in children, and we are increasingly seeing cases among youth and the middle-aged," Dr Shwetha said.
She advised the public to adopt healthy lifestyles, avoid self-medication for chronic headaches, and seek immediate consultation from neurologists or neurosurgeons when symptoms arise.
The event was attended by a team of neuro-experts, including Dr Chandrasekhar Naidu, Dr Sujith Kumar, Dr Vijayanth, Dr Gopal Krishna, and Dr CVS Dasaradhi, alongside several recovered patients and children. To mark the occasion, a special painting competition was organised for children, and prizes were distributed to the winners.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Fantastic progress in medical technology. As someone working in tech in Bangalore, I can see how AI and robotics are transforming healthcare. The Gamma Knife Radiosurgery mentioned is indeed a non-invasive game-changer for certain tumours. Good to see Indian hospitals adopting such advanced tools. But the real challenge is making this accessible to rural populations—Hyderabad is one thing, but what about smaller towns?
I lost my aunt to a brain tumour last year because it was detected too late. This article gives me hope. The fact that 10% of those surgeries were on children is heartbreaking but also shows why we need better paediatric neurology services. Kudos to Dr Manas Panigrahi and the team. And yes, please don't ignore persistent headaches—especially early morning ones. My aunt had that for months and doctors dismissed it as stress. शुभ कामना 🙏
Great achievement but let's not ignore the elephant in the room—cost. Advanced surgeries and robotic microscopes sound amazing, but how many middle-class Indians can afford such treatments? Gamma Knife is expensive, insurance often doesn't cover it fully. The doctors are talking about policy changes for brain scans in health check-ups, which is a good start. I hope KIMS also considers community outreach programs for early screening in low-income areas.
As a young professional constantly on my laptop and phone, this is a wake-up call! 😱 The part about prolonged earphone use affecting brain health is concerning. I've had recurring headaches and always thought it was just stress. Definitely getting a check-up now. Also, painting competition for recovered children is such a sweet touch—shows they care beyond just surgeries. Well done, KIMS!
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