Medics score success with live brain surgery on guitarist... yet again

Taking a scene right out of the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, a 'Live Brain Circuit Surgery' was performed on a fully awake musician at the Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital recently.

The 31-year-old Bangladeshi guitarist Taskin underwent the second such surgery in India, where he played the guitar as surgeons operated on him.

In 2014, Taskin was diagnosed with Guitarist Dystonia, a Focal Hand Dystonia (FHD) that began as a slight discomfort in his left middle finger and eventually paralysed 80% of his left hand.

The neurological disorder made delicate finger movements impossible such as for tasks like playing the guitar and using the mobile phone. A computer engineer-turned-musician, Taskin could not earn his livelihood after the crippling disorder. A Dhaka-based neurologist, who made the diagnosis, said it has no cure.

However, when he learnt about a live surgery performed to cure Guitarist Dystonia in Bengaluru, he approached the city-based Mahaveer Jain Hospital.

Neurologist Dr Sanjiv C C, specialist in movement disorders and Parkinson’s disease, said: "Musicians dystonia is an uncommon disorder in India and affects 1% of the musicians. It is difficult to treat and surgery is one of the best options. Taskins' disorder is severe, affecting all his five fingers in the left hand," he added.

Explaining the surgical procedure, Dr Sharan Srinivasan, a neurosurgeon specialised in Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery said, this surgery involves going 10 cm deep inside the brain and burning off misfiring brain circuit.

"Throughout the surgery, the patient was fully conscious and playing the guitar as well as performing activities with his fingers," Dr Srinivasan said.

"Taskin regained 100% function in his first, second, fourth and fifth fingers, and 50% function of his third finger during the surgery. With further neuro rehabilitation, he regained 100% function on the third finger as well.

"Now, he's able to play the guitar, use his phone, flip a coin and perform delicate movements," Dr Srinivasan added.

The Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain Hospital had previously performed the first Live Brain Circuit Surgery in July 2017 on Abhishek Prasad, the first person to undergo surgery while staying awake to cure Guitarist Dystonia in India.