KMC takes neuroplastic surgeries to patients

The Department of Neurosurgery at the Government Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) Hospital has been restoring the appearance and functionality of patients who need skull and facial reconstruction following neurosurgeries for complex head traumas, tumours or other conditions. Such neuroplastic surgeries are being covered under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS).

In neuroplastic surgery, a relatively new sub-speciality, surgeons deal with the reconstruction of the scalp and skull following neurological surgeries that result in “challenging deformities” in patients. Patients who suffer complex head injury with facial trauma, children with spinal dysraphism (congenital birth defect affecting the spine), craniosynostosis, and complex scalp and orbital facial tumours can benefit from neuroplastic surgeries, M. Kodeeswaran, head of department, Neurosurgery, KMC, said.

In a letter published in the Neurological Review, Dr. Kodeeswaran et al have discussed the need for neuroplastic surgery as a new neurosurgical sub-specialty in the Asian continent. The doctors noted that complex head trauma includes fracture of the frontal, temporal, nasal, maxillary and mandibular bones leading to gross deformities in patients. They are usually young adults who, following a road traffic accident, undergo traumatic fractures of the face. They need urgent surgical intervention and cosmetic reconstruction for better patient outcomes, they said.

“Neurosurgeons do the primary treatment. Take for instance, patients with severe head injury undergo a surgery to address the issue but most often, they end up with a deformity. It is crucial to treat such patients in the primary setting itself so that their cosmetic appearance is good. Otherwise, they may face issues such as when going for work,” he said.

At KMC, doctors have slowly yet steadily built a system to address the needs of such patients. “We do 3D cranioplasty. In case of a skull defect after surgery, we design the skull and have 3D printed implants for patients. We have done such procedures for 40 to 50 patients so far, and it is covered under CMCHIS. We obtained special approval under the scheme so that patients get the benefits free of cost,” Dr. Kodeeswaran added.

Neuroplastic surgery involves cosmetic corrections left behind in spinal dysraphism and craniosynostosis in children. “We need to plan in advance and take up primary cosmetic correction too,” he said.