Watch man playing the Beatles on his guitar while undergoing brain tumour surgery.

[Michael_e]

youtu.be/2fIXNA_lT30(Not working as expected?)

[cat3]

Amazing isn't it. I heard a programme about a similar op on a girl having brain surgery to remove an area responsible for seizures.

There was a danger of straying onto territory responsible for speech, so she was kept talking whilst the surgeon probed for a response. When she began to slur, it identified the area to be avoided, which he marked, before proceeding safely.

But a rendition of 'Yesterday' is really quite special during brain surgery isn't it ? Truly amazing stuff !!

Cat x

[RogerCMerriman in reply to cat3]

I assume thats the reason, so they can tell his brain is still working.

[cat3 in reply to RogerCMerriman]

I think it's more a matter of identifying essential areas of the brain and mapping them. Imagine being presented with that 'cauliflower' mass and having to avoid crucial parts, when everything looks the same.

It's only by communication with the patient that the surgeon can be warned that those areas responsible for our functioning (senses etc) can be marked out and avoided.

It's a simple solution, made possible by the reflex response, but how brilliant !!

[Matt2584 in reply to cat3]

I saw something similar to what you said about the girl on a TV show called 'Brain hospital'. Very clever stuff surgeons can do now.

So if the surgeons made a slight tweak during that mans operation, could he then play a different tune I wonder? :). Sounds similar to flicking through the channels on TV :).

[malalatete]

This was the thing that struck me all of a sudden one day - given that I want them to operate on my aneurysm, and my surgeon has said my speech will be at risk if they do so, presumably they will need me conscious and talking. I know there are no pain receptors in the brain but even so the idea of someone fiddling about up there whilst they engage me in small talk about the weather is.......ooooh errrr wierd. Not wierd enough to put me off, mind.

[angelite]

I was expecting 'Let it be ' but 'Yesterday' is even better : )

A great way to keep a check on functions during surgery.

Thanks for posting : ) x