It was a remarkable achievement by the Apollo Proton Cancer Center in Chennai, as doctors there successfully performed a brain bypass surgery on a pair of twins – eight-year-old children from the Netherlands. The center claimed that this operation is the first in Asia.
The twins suffered from Moyamoya disease, which is a rare disease of the blood vessels (vessels). This narrows or blocks the carotid artery in the skull, reducing blood flow to the brain. According to the APCC press release, this condition is relatively uncommon and even rare in identical twins.
The statement added that it was “the first such case witnessed in Asia. The condition was diagnosed in eight-year-old twins. Over the years, one of them developed vague symptoms such as jerky movements of his right arm and leg.”
The neurological team that performed the five-hour operation was led by dr. Roopesh Kumar, APCC Senior Consultant and Neurosurgeon.
Doctors suggested surgery, as there is almost no cure for this condition. In this surgery, doctors diverted the blood supply from the scalp to the brain through a window created in the skull bone using a cerebral bypass surgery. In fact, the relaxation would “facilitate smooth blood flow to the brain without the risk of developing a stroke.”
The patients recovered well and subsequent examinations showed improved blood circulation on the left side of the brain, the release said.