The Department of Neurosurgery

Origins and People

Neurosurgery services in JIPMER began in July 2006 with Dr. Roopesh Kumar and Dr. M. S. Gopalakrishnan as Assistant Professors under the Department of General Surgery. It became a full-fledged department in 2008.

Faculty Timeline:

• 2006–2008: Dr. Roopesh Kumar, Dr. M. S. Gopalakrishnan (founding faculty)
• 2009–2010: Dr. Shankar Ganesh, Dr. Venkatesh Madhugiri joined as Assistant Professors
• 2012: Dr. Shankar Ganesh resigned
• 2013–2014: Dr. A. S. Ramesh (Jan 2013), Dr. A. Sathia Prabhu (Sep 2013), Dr. Roopesh Kumar resigned (2014)
• 2015: Dr. Venkatesh resigned
• 2018: Dr. M. Manoranjitha Kumari joined (Oct 2018)
• 2020: Dr. R. Gopikrishnan joined (Feb 2020)
• 2024: Dr. Waseem Ahamed TP joined (Apr 2024)

The department now functions as a single, modern unit with advanced instruments and expertise, delivering high-quality neurosurgical care.

Growth and Development

From its humble beginnings, the department expanded its clinical services significantly. Gopalakrishnan fondly recalls the trials with the YSX120 and the "Lovebird" operating microscope, which the then Plastic Surgery head, Karoon Aggarwal, had let us use. The lack of a tilting eyepiece and electromagnetic locks made the surgeons a bit of contortionist artists. We acquired our first neurosurgical microscope only in 2010 – a Moller Wedel HiR 1000 – that dramatically improved our microneurosurgery. Professor Balachander, the then head of Cardiology, helped our x-ray vision by handing over an image intensifier. The JIPMER Director, Subba Rao, donated his cardiothoracic operation theatre slots (the most precious resource) to get the department going with its elective surgeries. At that time, each surgeon had fewer than one theatre slot per week (0.75!, operating roughly once every two weeks).

We relocated in 2008 to the glittering new Super-speciality Block, where we got our dedicated operation theatre, wards, and ICU.

A massive fillip in equipment acquisition occurred during the phase two expansion of the super-speciality project in 2017–2018, where we got the Stealth S7 Navigation system, Leksell stereotactic frame, the NIM Eclipse intraoperative neurophysiology monitor, and the microdrive for functional neurosurgery. Introducing advanced technologies such as the first operating microscope, neuronavigation systems, and endoscopic suites marked key milestones in enhancing surgical precision.

Academic Advancements

The department welcomed its first MCh Neurosurgery trainee, Sudheer Kumar, in 2010. He now practices in Hyderabad. Over the years, it has nurtured and trained neurosurgeons who have gone on to make their mark all over the country. Academic activities include regular journal clubs, morbidity and mortality meetings, microsurgical skill workshops, and participation in national conferences. Several residents have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to neurosurgical research and clinical excellence. Currently, the department admits two post-general surgery candidates (three-year MCh course) and one direct MBBS candidate (six-year MCh course) annually.

Research and Innovation

The department has been actively involved in clinical and translational research, with studies focusing on neurotrauma, neuro-oncology, and innovative neurosurgical techniques. Collaborative projects with national and international institutions have fostered advancements in neurocritical care and surgical technology development.

Impact and Patient Care

With a steadily growing caseload, the department performs thousands of neurosurgical procedures annually, covering neurotrauma, spine surgery, paediatric neurosurgery, functional neurosurgery, and complex cranial operations. Anecdotal patient recovery stories highlight the department’s holistic approach, combining technical expertise with compassionate care.

Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, the department aims to establish dedicated subspecialty units for deep brain stimulation, epilepsy surgery, and advanced skull base procedures. The long-term goal is to achieve national recognition as a leading centre for neurosurgical care, research, and education, fostering innovation while serving the community with excellence. The department plans to set up an experimental and advanced technology development unit in close cooperation with biotech engineers, coordinate and run multi-centre trials, and acquire intraoperative imaging systems such as CT and MRI in the near future.