PGIMER endoscopic neurosurgeon Dr. Dhandapani SS introduces totally new keyhole brain surgery technique, probably the first such report in the world.

Previously most brain surgery needed a large opening of the skull. Over the last few years, brain tumors and aneurysms are being operated using keyhole skull base techniques. There are currently two major types of keyhole surgery. One type has low working volume and often requires extensive bone drilling, making it difficult for complex neurosurgery. The other type requires cutting the bony rim above the eyes, which causes eye swelling and cosmetic problems.
Dr. Dhandapani has introduced “orbital rim sparing single-piece fronto-orbital keyhole” which can be used even in complex skull base surgery, but without removing too much bone. This technique avoids eye swelling after surgery and has better cosmetic results. The report of this method and how better it is than others has been published as a featured article in Neurology India, the official journal of Neurological Society of India, with an impact factor above 2.
Dr. Dhandapani’s team has used this technique in many complex cases, including giant tumors and large aneurysms, with good results. Such advanced techniques used with endoscope and navigation raises the bar of neurosurgery even further. His team has also been the first in the world to remove a large brain tumor through the nose of a 16-month toddler a few months back. He has also previously reported on many minimally invasive approaches both in spine and brain surgery in several reputed journals.