Malta's first-ever awake brain surgery successfully completed at Mater Dei
Awake Craniotomy procedures are now available at the state-run hospital
Specialists at Mater Dei Hospital have successfully conducted Malta’s first-ever brain surgery carried out while the patient was awake, the Health Ministry announced on Saturday.
The Awake Craniotomy procedure is used to safely remove tumours or lesions from the brain without damaging other key brain functions, such as thought, memory, emotional recognition and movement.
A specialised team of medical experts led by Dr Jasmina Djukic is handling such procedures at the state-run Mater Dei Hospital.
Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela thanked the team for their work.
Previously, patients who required an Awake Craniotomy procedure had to be operated on overseas. The minister said having it available locally would not only be of benefit to patients but would also improve hospital efficiency and allow Mater Dei to reduce the waiting time between surgery and other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The procedure will increase patients’ odds of survival, improve their quality of life and make it easier for them to return to their daily routines, he added.