The emergence of new technologies over the last three to four decades has transformed neuro-surgery into a premium specialty. There is historical evidence to show that in the past crude instruments made of metal or even stone were used to crack open the skull for conducting neuro-surgery. These methods and the lack of visibility into many parts of the brain, known as gloomy areas, resulted in poor diagnosis, excess bleeding, infection, and high rates of mortality.

However, revolutionary imaging technologies like CT and MRI have completely changed the face of neurodiagnosis, taking it to an all-new plane of sophistication. While an MRI scan can locate lesions as tiny as 1-2 millimeters, other cutting-edge technologies enable doctors to get a three-dimensional view of the brain. Indeed, thanks to cutting-edge technologies that map the fiber tracts of the brain today's surgeons can even view the functional aspects of the brain.

In addition, using cerebral angiography they can quickly ascertain the status of blood flow to the brain. With the advent of operating microscopes visibility and magnification have improved so much that today we can access every corner of the brain and are also able to penetrate its deeper structures using much safer pathways.

With the development of instrumentation, tailormade coagulation and bipolar systems, and lasers, micro neuro-surgery is now the new standard. The operating microscopes are so advanced that every part of the brain, nerves, and vessels is visible to surgeons helping them protect, preserve, and minimize the risk of post-operative disabilities. This has meant a qualitative leap forward for neuro-surgery.

The introduction of computer-assisted navigation systems has enabled minimally invasive neurosurgery. A majority of surgeries now involve tiny incisions or opening of the skull. The navigation systems guide surgeons through safe trajectories and help in the total removal of lesions. High-speed drills are making it possible to open the skulls quickly with lesser bleeding, and the time for conducting neuro-surgeries has reduced significantly.

The ultrasonic aspirator helps surgeons break hard tumors into soft pieces and remove them quickly without transmitting any traction to adjacent parts of the brain. With superior three-dimensional orientation and confidence surgeons are now in total command: surgeries have become dramatically safer and we are now able to remove tumors or other diseases radically. This has a direct bearing on the overall outcomes. Patients now recover much faster and their stays in hospitals are much shorter.

Recent additions in intra-operative imaging and intra-operative angiography enable real-time verification of structures and blood flows and help us preserve the integrity of the structures. The concept of hybrid operating theatres has emerged with the entry of different modern-day technologies.

Brains features one of the first such hybrid operating theatres in the country. Today, with advancements in electro-physiology, it has become possible to monitor individual nerves and also many areas of brain function during surgery.

The future is poised to be even more exciting with developments in optics and nano-technology promising to usher a variety of neuro-modulating devices that can improve the neurological function of patients. Future day optics will enable neuro-surgeons to see blood flows even in minute blood vessels and the electrical activity of the brain as well. The possibility of visualizing the normal brain cell and its activity directly that can differentiate from abnormal cells such as tumors is not far off.

Neuroendoscopy has opened up new avenues in neurosurgery contributing to minimally invasive surgery both for the brain as well as in the spine. Similarly, 3-Dimaging of the spine during surgery, and spinal navigation have made spine surgery precise, quick, and very safe. With these advances opening the spinal cord and removing the intramedullary tumours is no longer considered impossible. Slowly even Robotic assisted surgery is paving its way into neurosurgery. Awake brain surgery has become much refined to ensure the protection of functional areas of the brain the so-called eloquent areas during surgery.

Thus neurosurgery has progressed rapidly in a multidimensional fashion contributing to better outcomes, preserving the functional ability of individuals with speed, safety, and faster recovery. BRAINS Hospital is equipped with sophisticated technology to provide the best care for Brain and Spine surgeries in adults and children. Neurosurgeons continue to strive to improve the art of surgery to make it better and better with phenomenal passion and social commitment.