Neurosurgery in India
Neurological surgery is an alternative term for neurosurgery. One of the subspecialties of neurosurgery is a functional neurosurgery. The common diseases that come under the scope of this subspecialty are Epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, uncontrolled tremor, dystonia, spasticity, psychiatric disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorders and chronic pain. Today, we will discuss neurosurgery in India. Let me tell you, we have the First Best DBS surgeons in India at Jaslok Hospital & research Center.
History of Neurosurgery in India
Neurosurgery in India has been practiced since ancient times with mention in epics that in 1800 BC, Jivaka (physician to the Lord Buddha) removed intracranial mass lesion through trephination.
The modern-day neurosurgery was started by Dr. Chandy in CMC, Vellore in 1949. Today there are more than 2000 neurosurgeons in India with an equally large number of neurosurgical centers, with high-end expertise.
The present-day functional neurosurgical activities were started across few centers in India that included Christian medical college, Vellore, SCTIMST, Trivandrum etc.
The SCTIMST program offers epilepsy surgery and movement disorders surgery, the program at Vellore offers stereotactic surgery, X-knife treatment, and epilepsy surgery. The AIIMS program in Delhi offers movement disorders, chronic pain, and epilepsy surgery.
However, it was only at the Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre that a full-fledged functional neurosurgical program was established in 1998. Dr. Paresh Doshi who is the first DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation ) surgeon In India.
It is among very few centers across the world to have the expertise of offering the entire spectrum of treatment under one roof.
The program is most comprehensive and is supported by specialist Neurologists in the field of Epilepsy, Movement Disorders, Headaches, Chronic pain, and pediatric neurology.
Expertise and Infrastructure – Neurosurgery in India
The doctors of India have the advantage of having profound clinical experience (due to large population base) coupled with training from more developed countries like UK and USA.
We started performing DBS surgery way back in 1998. So far we have performed more than 525 DBS procedures. This is one of the largest experience by a single surgeon and a single team in the world.
Not only that, we have published extensively all our results and complications that can help us remain right on track and enhance the safety and efficacy of the procedure. Surgical protocol that we have established extensively used at several centres across the country and internationally.
We have also trained several Neurosurgeons to perform DBS surgery independently. The most important thing about any successful program is the consistency. We are in the process of publishing our second paper on complication results, which has shown that over a period of time, the rate of our complications has continued to reduce.
Our surgical protocol have been polished and perfected over time and now we are capable of even operating elderly patient with the same level of safety that is seen for younger patients.
We have also published these results in International Scientific Journal to share as to how this Surgery can be made safe, even for elderly patients.
In the new millennium, the government restrictions have eased allowing for easy import of equipment, for e.g. 3T MRI machines, high-speed high definition CT scanners and various other investigative and therapeutic technologies.
This has facilitated the hospital to acquire the latest technologies in patient care. Hospitals also have various levels of accreditation ranging from ISO certification, NABH accreditation, and JCI accreditation.
The medium of medical education has been English in India. This has facilitated interactions with foreign patients.
People in India are very warm and hospitable and ensure that our visitors feel at home. India enjoys bright sunshine and moderate climate (e.g. Mumbai) making the stay pleasant.
Cost and Treatment Benefit –Neurosurgery in India
I have been asked several times about the cost DBS at our center. The question is very simple but the answer to this is very complex.
It is very important to understand that we are talking about the cost. What is the difference between the cost and price?
The cost is defined is defined as the total consideration for acquiring something, and the price is defined as purely the value of the product. For example cost for buying the car would also include the cost of insurance associated with it, servicing and maintenance.
Where as the price is only reflecting the value of the car. Having understood this difference let us understand the cost of DBS surgery.
There is almost no waiting period for treatment in India. An epilepsy surgery investigation that would take 2 years in the UK can be wrapped up in 2 weeks in India.
Similarly, a Parkinson’s disease surgery whether it is deep brain stimulation (DBS) or a lesion, whose waiting period is around a year, can be performed by prior arrangement within a couple of months.
The cost of medical treatment in India is only a fraction of the cost in the Western world.
An epilepsy surgery which would cost $40,000-50,000 dollars in the USA can be comfortably completed in $10,000-12,000, a DBS surgery can be offered in $20,000 or Intrathecal baclofen therapy (ITB) can be performed in $12000.
What is included in the cost of Service?
We can share these details about our Centre.
- It covers 10 days of hospitalisation.
- It covers all the cost related to surgery, investigations and surgeon fees.
- It covers all costs related to implants and hardware .
- It also covers all the cast of consumables and medications during the course of the stay.
- It covers the cost of programming and follow up visits for six weeks.
- It does not cover the cast off any other medical professionals engaged in the treatment of the patient, any additional day of hospitalisation beyond 10 days or incidental expenses.
NOW BEFORE ASKING FOR THE COST ONE SHOULD CONSIDER ALL THESE ASPECTS. THERE IS NO PRICE TO SAFETY, WHEN IT COMES TO LIFE.
An advantage of Neurosurgery in India
Though other South East Asian countries offer some of the neurosurgical treatments, there are no centers that would be able to offer all types of neurological surgery treatments in a single institute.
The familiarity with the English language, hospitable people and patient-friendly hospitals make India an ideal choice for overseas medical treatment.
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