A groundbreaking brain surgery was successfully performed in Iloilo, marking the first awake craniotomy on Panay Island. The six-hour operation was carried out at the Western Visayas Medical Center to remove a tumor located in the brain’s eloquent areas—regions responsible for functions such as speech and movement.
Unlike conventional brain surgeries, this procedure required the patient to remain awake, allowing the surgical team to map brain functions in real-time. This technique ensured the preservation of essential abilities while safely removing the tumor.
According to a Panay News report, the procedure was led by neurosurgeon and spine specialist Dr. Derek Ben Jabines. He was assisted by Dr. James Mercado from Davao Doctors Hospital, anesthesiologist Dr. Ceres Lucot-Laud, and neuropsychiatrist Dr. Paul Christian Sobrevega.
