Tamil Nadu Sets up India’s First Integrated Hybrid Neurosurgery Theatre at Kilpauk Hospital

The hybrid neurosurgery theatre combines an operating room, neuro-angiography system, CT imaging, and high-precision navigation technologies within a single sterile environment.

The government of Tamil Nadu has inaugurated India’s first integrated government sector hybrid neurosurgery operating theatre at Kilpauk Medical College Hospital (KMCH), Chennai, to enable minimally invasive brain procedures.

The new facility is equipped with every essential device within a single operating room.

The hybrid neurosurgery theatre combines an operating room, neuro-angiography system, CT imaging, and high-precision navigation technologies within a single sterile environment.

Further, it is equipped with neuro-navigation, endoscopy, and physiological monitoring for complex cases.

The new facility will enable neurosurgeons to perform open surgery, endovascular neurointerventions, and real-time imaging without shifting patients between different units.

Moreover, this setup is expected to reduce procedure time and minimise risks associated with patient transfers during critical interventions.

Speaking on the significance of this facility, M. Kodeeswaran, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kilpauk, Chennai, said, "The Tamil Nadu government has set up a prototype dedicated neurosurgery theatre at our Government Medical College Hospital. This theatre has been set up with the financial assistance of the Tamil Nadu Health Rehabilitation Project and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). All the necessary facilities for neurosurgery have been integrated in this theatre.”

“To remove a brain tumor, a microscope, an endoscope, endoscopic monitoring, an ultrasound, and other instruments are required. Earlier, during surgery, if something went wrong, the patient had to be taken out of the operating theatre for a CT scan. This new surgery theatre has been set up to avoid exactly that. A 3D CT scan device is installed on the operating table itself. With the help of this, brain activity can be checked, and we can repair damage to blood vessels very accurately," he further added.

The project is funded by the Tamil Nadu Health Rehabilitation Project with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) support at INR 18 crore.

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