SQUH successfully performs delicate brain tumor surgery

Muscat: An integrated surgical team at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) Medical City has successfully performed a delicate operation to remove a tumor from a critical area of a patient’s brain using the “awake craniotomy” technique — the first procedure of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman.

This procedure is considered one of the most advanced and complex in neurosurgery, requiring extreme precision and close coordination among the medical team, while keeping the patient fully awake throughout the surgery.

The operation was led by Dr. Ghassan bin Salem Al Sudairi, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, with participation from a select group of Omani specialists from various fields. The surgery lasted several hours, during which the team successfully removed the tumor while the patient remained awake and engaged in direct interaction through various neurological tests. This approach enabled the complete removal of the tumor without causing any neurological side effects.

The awake craniotomy technique is used for tumors located near areas of the brain responsible for speech, movement, or cognition. By keeping the patient fully awake during the procedure, surgeons can monitor neurological functions in real time to ensure optimal outcomes and avoid damage to vital areas of the brain, such as those controlling speech, motor skills, and sensory perception.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in the advancement and preparedness of Oman’s national healthcare system. It underscores the competence of national medical professionals and highlights the readiness of the country’s healthcare institutions to keep pace with the latest global medical innovations. It also reflects the ambitious vision of the University Medical City to achieve medical leadership regionally and globally, through investments in advanced technologies and the empowerment of national talent.