The Miri General Hospital in Sarawak recently performed brain surgery on a patient while they were fully awake.
Sharing the news on their Facebook page, the hospital explained that the patient needed to remain conscious so the medical team could monitor the patient’s ability to speak while a tumour was being removed.
Groundbreaking brain surgery at Miri General Hospital
The hospital stated: “On 11 March, our team at Miri General Hospital had the privilege of performing the first-ever Awake Craniotomy with Electrocorticography (ECoG) and functional mapping in Northern Sarawak, a small but meaningful step forward in bringing advanced neurosurgical care closer to our community.”
The patient had originally sought medical attention due to seizures. Investigations eventually revealed a low-grade glioma located in the left superior temporal region, the brain’s critical speech centre.
Precision and safety
“To remove the tumour safely without affecting the patient’s ability to speak, the team performed an Awake Craniotomy using advanced ECoG and functional mapping,” the hospital explained.
“Because the patient was awake throughout, the surgical team could monitor speech in real-time, ensuring maximum tumour removal while preserving vital functions. We are grateful to share that the procedure was successful, and the patient was discharged home healthy just two days later with no speech deficits.”
What this means for Sarawakians
Previously, patients from Northern and Central Sarawak requiring complex neurosurgery had to travel to Kuching or Kuala Lumpur. These journeys involved significant time, high costs, and prolonged separation from family support networks.
“This milestone means world-class care is now more accessible locally. Patients and families can stay closer to home during challenging times, and Miri General Hospital continues its journey towards providing quality, advanced neurosurgery services for the region,” the statement concluded.
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