ILOILO City — Patients with complex brain tumors in Western Visayas may no longer need to travel to Metro Manila or Cebu for highly specialized neurosurgical procedures.
The Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) has strengthened its capacity to perform awake brain surgery following another successful operation on a 53-year-old woman.
The government hospital performed it on October 14, 2026, marking another significant step toward making advanced brain surgery more accessible in Panay Island neighboring provinces.
This latest procedure followed WVMC’s historic performance of Panay’s first awake craniotomy in July 2025, demonstrating the hospital’s growing capability to undertake complex neurosurgical operations traditionally available only in major medical centers.
The patient sought medical attention after experiencing recurring headaches and progressive weakness on the right side of her body.
Diagnostic imaging subsequently revealed a tumor deep within the left hemisphere of her brain, near critical areas responsible for movement and sensory functions.
Because of the tumor’s sensitive location, surgeons opted for an awake craniotomy, allowing them to monitor the patient’s neurological functions while removing abnormal brain tissue.
Unlike conventional brain surgery performed under general anesthesia, an awake craniotomy requires the patient to remain conscious and responsive.
Using local anesthesia and specialized nerve blocks to prevent pain, surgeons can communicate directly with the patient while operating on the brain, which itself has no pain receptors.
During the multi-hour operation, doctors asked the woman to move her hands, speak and respond to physical stimuli to identify areas of the brain responsible for essential neurological functions.
This real-time monitoring enabled the surgical team to distinguish functional brain tissue from the tumor and guide its removal while minimizing the risk of damaging areas responsible for movement and speech.
The procedure was particularly critical because damage to these areas could result in neurological impairments, including weakness, paralysis or speech difficulties.
WVMC reported that the operation was successful, with the patient experiencing a smooth immediate postoperative recovery.
She was subsequently discharged in good condition and is now recovering at home.
The procedure was led by neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Ben T. Jabines, assisted by neurologist Dr. Ryndell Alava, neuropsychiatrist Dr. Paul Christian Sobrevega and neuroanesthesiologist Dr. Ceres Laud.
The neurosurgical team also included residents Dr. Katrina Pieldad, Dr. Immanuel Silverio, Dr. Jehanna Mar Abdurahman and Dr. Jhinlee Silvederio, alongside operating room nurses and technical support personnel.
Beyond the successful removal of the tumor, the latest operation underscores the expanding capacity of WVMC, a government tertiary hospital, to provide advanced medical interventions closer to communities in Western Visayas.
Patients requiring complex brain surgery and specialized intraoperative brain mapping have historically faced the additional burden of traveling to Metro Manila or Cebu, often resulting in higher transportation, accommodation and medical expenses.
The hospital’s successive awake craniotomy procedures also reflect the importance of developing specialized medical teams and strengthening public hospital capabilities to address complicated neurological conditions.
“More than a surgical achievement, this milestone reflects WVMC’s continued commitment to making advanced, safe, and compassionate healthcare available to the people of Western Visayas,” WVMC wrote on Facebook./PN
