GZ talked to the doctor about his musical abilities
A musician who underwent brain surgery in Italy played the saxophone during his nine hours of surgery. The 35-year-old patient, identified as GZ, was operated on at the Paideia International Hospital in Rome. He was immediately discharged from the hospital.
The hospital said in a press release that patients were being kept awake so doctors could make sure they weren’t affecting their neurological function. Dr Christian Brogna, chief surgeon and neurosurgeon, said: “Every brain is unique, as is every human being.”
“Unconscious surgery allows the neural networks that underlie various brain functions, such as playing, talking, moving, remembering and counting, to be mapped with great precision during surgery,” added the doctor.
Dr. Brogna leads an international team of 10 highly skilled people in procedures using state-of-the-art technology, CBS reports.
Prior to the surgery, GZ informed doctors about his musical abilities and it proved useful for doctors as it allowed the team to map various brain functions.
GZ performed the theme song of the 1970 movie “Love Story” and the Italian national anthem during the nine hour operation.
In his press release, Dr. Brogna: “The goal of conscious surgery is to remove brain tumors or vascular malformations such as cavernomas located in specific areas of the brain, while preserving the patient’s quality of life.”
In a statement, GZ said he felt calm rather than scared during brain surgery.
Brogna says he is proud that his patients have been able to return to their normal lives and proud that with each operation their knowledge of this branch of medicine increases, CBS reports.
