Patient uses mobile phone during brain tumour surgery in India

Doctors in India successfully removed a brain tumour from a 56-year-old patient while he was awake and using his mobile phone, local media reported on Thursday.

According to the Times of India report, the doctors operated on the patient, Harish Chandra, using the technique of awake craniotomy, in which the patient remains conscious during the surgery.

The operation took place at the Kalyan Singh Cancer Institute Hospital in Lucknow.

Indian media said Harish had complained of severe headaches and pain in his left arm and leg a few days ago. 

However, after the diagnosis of a brain tumour, doctors had expressed fear that Harish might be disabled, after which he was operated.

During the surgery, the patient was given basic anesthesia but could use a mobile, move his leg, and hold a pen.

The process was done to keep the patient's brain moving and to carefully remove the tumour, minimising the risk of affecting the patient's brain arteries.