Teacher plays flute, counts while undergoing brain surgery

A teacher was able to play the flute and count while undergoing brain surgery.

According to Oscar Oida’s “24 Oras” report, 32-year-old brain tumor patient April Rodriguez Oliveros underwent a surgery called awake craniotomy.

“The good thing about awake craniotomy is that we allow the surgeon to remove the brain tumor without damaging the patient’s brain since they’re awake,” said anesthesiologist Dr. Tata Abalajon.

Abalajon said that through the surgery, they were able to monitor the patient. “We monitor her motor, we made her play the flute. Her speech, we made her talk (and count),” she said.

The doctor added that it was necessary for the patient to be willing to do the procedure.

“Yung siguradong hindi talaga pwede is the patient’s refusal and if uncooperative ’yung patient kasi hindi madali para sa pasyente na gising ka at alam mong inooperahan yung utak mo,” she said.

[It’s definitely not allowed if there’s patient refusal and if they’re uncooperative because it’s not easy for a patient to be awake and know that their brain is being operated on.]

Fortunately, the operation was a success and, despite her fresh scars, April said she was okay.

Describing her experience, April said, “parang may kinakalikot lang po sa ulo ko (like something was fiddling around in my head),” she said.

She added that the neurologists spoke with her throughout the procedure and were even joking with her.

“’Di ko po naramdaman na kailangan kong matakot,” she said.

[I didn’t feel like I have to be scared.]

According to the report, awake craniotomy is being done for now in only three hospitals in the Philippines, one of which is East Avenue Medical Center, where Abalajon works.

The doctor said the limitation was due to the number of staff and doctors who could perform it, adding that the surgeon should be confident and have trust in their anesthesiologist.

“Ang limitation lang kasi is not just the patient but the OR staff and the doctors who can do it. Kailangan malakas ang loob ng surgeon at may tiwala siya sa anesthesiologist niya,” Abalajon said.

She also said it would be helpful if the procedure would be available in more hospitals all over the country. – Franchesca Viernes/RC, GMA News