SURGICAL SKILL.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17078, 16 April 1927, Page 23 (Supplement)

SURGICAL SKILL.

DIFFICULT BRAIN OPERATION. i FLUID REMOVED. Medical history-—for Sydney, at least —was made at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, when a most difficult operation on the brain, known technically as ventriculography, was performed for the llrst time. In plain language, tlie operation may be described as removing a quantity of fluid from tlie ventricles or cavities of the brain, and Ailing tlie space with air, so that tlie presence of any growth or foreign matter in the brain may be located by the X-ray. In tlie ordinary run of events,, the effects on tlie patient are not serious. The air becomes absorbed in due course and fresh Auid is secreted. It should be explained that inside the brain are several cavities called ventricles. These are Ailed with a clear Auid, which docs not throw any shadow by X-ray. Air docs throw a shadow. • The purpose of the operation is to replace a portion of the Auid with air and take X-ray photographs, which would then show up any growth. A young man of 25 had been brought to the hospital showing symptoms of a tumor on the brain. The case had some puzzling aspects for the specialists, however, and it was decided to perform the operation.

A small portion of the skull was removed over the right ear, and a needle inserted through the brain to the right ventricle. With this instrument a portion of the Auid was withdrawn, and the space was Ailed with air.

When the X-ray photographs were taken they revealed an abnormal condition, which practically con Armed the specialists’ diagnosis. The patient appeared to be none the worse for the operation. He was bright and cheerful the following day, but a few days later he collapsed and died suddenly from the effects of the tumor before a further operation could be performed. The case lias aroused interest among members of the medical profession.