Rare Brain Bypass Surgery Gives Pune Software Engineer a New Lease on Life

Pune, 12th June 2025: Neurosurgeons at Manipal Hospitals, Baner, were able to successfully perform a superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass (commonly known as brain bypass surgery) on a 32-year-old software engineer from Pune with rare condition. The patient had repeated ischemic episodes and had lost vision in one eye after a stroke. After surgery, the patient has recovered well, able to regain vision in his affected eye, which was an unexpected outcome. His recurrent strokes are expected to improve over a period of time.

For six months, the patient had several episodes of left-sided weakness, each lasting a few minutes, under the influence of minor stressors like low blood pressure or dehydration. The right middle cerebral artery (MCA) appeared to be completely blocked, leading doctors to suspect Moya Moya disease, a rare progressive intracranial arteriopathy that is more prevalent in Asian populations and more common in young people and teens. Since there was no visible distal blood flow and the blocked channel was not stentable, no conventional therapeutic options were taken into consideration.

While speaking about this case, Dr. Amit Dhakoji, HOD & Consultant – Neurosurgery, Manipal Hospital, Baner said, “We decided to do a STA-MCA bypass because the case was so complex. This technique involved rerouting and anastomosing the superficial temporal artery, a healthy artery on the head, to a viable segment of the middle cerebral artery that was distant to the occlusion. This rerouting made it possible to restore the blood flow to the damaged brain region. The patient recovered exceptionally well after the operation. The frequent, brief ischemia episodes immediately ended, and the doctors were even surprised to see that the formerly blind eye’s vision had partially returned.”

Mr. Anand Mote, Cluster Director, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune said, “We at Manipal Hospitals continuously deliver exceptional medical treatment, even in uncommon and complex circumstances. This instance shows the value of interdisciplinary teamwork, cutting-edge technology, and extensive clinical knowledge. Being a facility that can offer cutting-edge neurosurgical solutions with accuracy and empathy makes us proud.”