Brain Surgery: How Convenient!
October 5, 2007 by Sara Ost
Filed under Across the Pond, Cancer, Medical History, Surgery
Many services require little more than an hour’s wait: an oil change, dry cleaning, photos, eyeglasses…and coming soon, brain surgery!
One doctor is already offering same-day service. Britain’s youngest female brain surgeon/official rock star/my new idol uses only local anesthesia to remove brain tumors with relative speed and ease. The first woman to have it done talked with Dr. Zadeh during the procedure and was enjoying tea in her living room just hours after the operation. Patients will be able to stay awake as the medical team happily chips away at their skull and removes the dangerous tissue. And, having dispensed with said tumor, everyone will be home in time for dinner and a DVD. The reason this is so cool is not because we’re all in such a damn hurry, of course. Dr. Zadeh’s technique allows for better surgery and quicker recovery. And because many cancer patients specifically have a tough time with general anesthesia, there’s greater comfort all around.
I’m not sure I could deal with being awake during brain surgery.