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Have brain surgery and be home for tea
Sophie Goodchild01.10.07
Patients with brain tumours are to be offered fast-track day surgery for the first time.
The procedure, during which the patient remains awake, is being pioneered by Britain's youngest female brain surgeon working with a team based at University College Hospital. Dr Gelareh Zadeh, 35, is a specialist in malignant brain tumours and one of the few female brain surgeons in the world.
Her first patient was 52-year-old businesswoman Deborah Calder, who had the operation in July and has since made a full recovery. Dr Zadeh told the Evening Standard today that there has already been interest from other London hospitals in the work of the Brain Metastatic Clinic and the technique is to be adopted by the NHS.
Until now, patients have had to stay in hospital for up to a week after brain tumour surgery to allow them to recover fully from the after-effects of a general anaesthetic. But with day surgery, doctors can use a local anaesthetic which they inject into the patient's scalp to "freeze" it before making an incision in their skull.
Dr Zadeh said: "The fact the patient can be awake makes them feel a lot better after surgery and it makes it a lot easier for doctors to operate.
"It is also good for cancer patients who cannot tolerate a general anaesthetic. Before, people would have to stay in for at least two days and sometimes up to a week. Deborah chatted to us all during the operation and after observingher and doing a scan we were happy to let her home to her family."
Mrs Calder, who had cancer in her lungs before it spread to her brain, married her partner of 20 years, 72-year-old Johnny, a few days after having the operation. She said: "When I first found out my cancer had spread to the brain I was really shocked and upset, especially as they couldn't say what my chances were.
"But they got me into surgery really quickly and Gelareh was almost like a friend to me. She is so caring, a really exceptional and special person. I trusted her totally and the whole team made me feel very safe."
"It was a bit strange at first when they started putting pins into my head but I knew that if anything went wrong then they would give me a general anaesthetic. By the evening I was at home with my family having a cup of tea. There is no doubt this saved my life. It has given me a whole new lease of life."
More than half of all adult brain tumours are caused by cancer in other parts of the body spreading.
The aim of the Brain Metastatic Clinic is to identify patients with secondary brain tumours so their treatment can be managed effectively. Day brain surgery is already a standard procedure in other countries.
Reader views (10)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I find amazing this new technique. I wish to know more about it since my friend has brain cancer. Is it possible to have the contact of Dr Zadeh.
Regards
- Mr.D.Babai, manchester UK
I know firsthand how brilliant Dr Zadeh is as I underwent brain surgery in August 2008. The thought of being awake during surgery was very daunting, but her ability to make me feel at ease was amazing.(Its not as scary as you think)I am so grateful to have crossed paths with such a compassionate, intelligent and confident doctor. I can't thank her enough for helping me. She has given me a new lease on life.
- B Fell, Brampton Canada
I find amazing this new technique. I wish to know more about it since my mother has brain cancer. Is it possible to have the contact of Dr Zadeh.
Regards
- Alex Castellano, Brescia Italy
The rich will live and the poor will die, because when it comes to care, cash takes care of it all. Its a sad world we live in.
- Barrie Wilson, south yorks
It's amazing, we are proud of you, you are so strong to pass all of your problems in Iran,Uk and Canada.
God bless you.
- K.Padidar, Vancouver, Canada
Having a personal phobia of general anaesthesia, & knowing a little about the possible dangers of it, I'm so glad to hear of this alternative. With any luck & medical perseverance, it will hopefully spread to other surgeries as well.
The fact that it's brain surgery without general anaesthesia makes it even more impressive, and the fact that the surgeon behind it is an Iranian female even more so.
Good luck to Ms. Zadeh & thank you for your amazing contribution.
- Ladan, Philadelphia, U.S.A
Whilst I have all the admiration in the world for Ms Zadeh's initiative, personality, professionalism and skill.
I feel The NHS are embracing Ms Zadeh's talent for one reason only - saving money. By a bed being unblocked for 5 days owing to local instead of general anasthetic undoubtedly doing so.
Personally, I find the thought of laying wide awake while someone drills my teeth a bit un-nerving. So I can only imagine having my skull drilled in the same state utterly horrific and in-humane. Following a recent appointment with my GP. I have been told there is small chance I have a brain tumour. If the worst happens and I have to have to face some form of craniotomy I will have it "fast asleep please doctor" and no other way.
Given that nowadays you can't have a tooth out under GA with the NHS on the basis of cost. How long will it be before you can't have brain surgery with the NHS under GA on cost grounds? And will the working class patient who is as squeemish as me and can't afford private healthcare possibly be left to die?
- Richard Goddard, Sheffield, England
As an Iranian girl,I am so proud to hear of Mrs.Zadeh's success,she's gone through so much in her life and now she's having the results of all that hard work. These are the kind of people that we should hear more about,rather than celebrities. Teenagers need a proper role model.
I just wish Mrs.Zadeh all the best in her life, and hope her new baby will bring even more joy and happiness to both Mrs.Zadeh and her husband's life.
- Tannaz, London, England.
Fantastic to know that there is real talent and skill to help the people who need it, keep up your great work.
I do think you have the best chance in the U.K.
Why can't we find more young talent like this?
- Andy Sargeant, UK.
Gelareh Zadeh is brilliant. She removed 95%of a massive brain tumour in a 7 hour operation in which my 16 year old daughter Natalie was awake on 27th June. We had been told in the Canary Islands after an operation where her head was opened and closed again, that nothing could be done as an operation would leave Natalie paralysed and mute. After 8 months of anguish and searching for a solution I am so grateful to Miss Zadeh and her terrific team, I cannot speak highly enough of them, they have saved her life without damaging her in anyway.
May Miss Zadeh´s excellent work continue to be so successful.
- Pamela Gardiner, Gran Canaria, Spain
