First-of-its-kind procedure in India, only fifth in the world
Lucknow – In a groundbreaking medical achievement, doctors have successfully performed a rare surgery to stop continuous nasal fluid leakage, known as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. This marks the first-ever successful surgery of its kind in India and only the fifth case worldwide, establishing India’s presence on the global medical map.
Dr. Ravi Shankar, Head of the Neurotology ENT Unit at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), Lucknow, shared details of this remarkable feat. He revealed that the surgery was performed at PGIMER, Chandigarh, under the leadership of Prof. R.S. Virk (ENT Department, PGIMER), Dr. Ravi Shankar (SGPGI), and senior surgeon Dr. Govind Bhuskute from Goa.
Dr. Shankar highlighted that Dr. Bhuskute had received specialized training in this advanced surgical technique in the United States, which played a vital role in the success. “We worked for nearly two years to adapt and refine this method, and this marks India’s first-ever success in this field,” he said. Plans are now underway to begin conducting such surgeries at SGPGI, Lucknow.
Understanding the Breakthrough
CSF leak is a condition in which fluid leaks from the brain into the nasal cavity, often leading to continuous watery discharge from the nose. To treat this, doctors adopted a minimally invasive approach, accessing the brain through a small incision near the eye to block the leak — without causing damage to surrounding structures.
The surgery, termed “Minimally Invasive Transorbital-Endonasal Surgery for Sphenoidal CSF Leak”, preserved the vidian nerve (responsible for tear production) and protected the sphenopalatine artery (supplying blood to the nasal cavity). This not only ensured faster recovery but also avoided visible scars, while maintaining both function and appearance.
A Global Milestone
With this achievement, India joins a select group of centers worldwide capable of performing such advanced skull-base surgeries. Globally, only five such cases have been successfully carried out, making this accomplishment a major stride for Indian medical science.
“This innovative technique sets a new benchmark in patient care, especially for complex CSF leak cases. It represents surgical excellence and the power of human innovation,” Dr. Shankar emphasized.
This landmark success places India at the forefront of advanced neurosurgical and ENT care, offering patients access to world-class treatment with minimal invasiveness and maximum recovery outcomes.
