MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT BY DOCTORS IN NOVI SAD: They Perform One of the Most Difficult Brain Surgeries Using New Technology, Patient Goes Home on the Third Day!

Doctors at the University Clinical Centre of Vojvodina (UKCV) in Novi Sad have successfully performed the first aneurysm surgery on a cerebral artery using advanced technology that allows them to monitor blood flow through the brain’s blood vessels during the procedure itself. The patient was discharged for home treatment just three days after the operation, the healthcare institution announced.

The operation was performed by Dr. Nebojša Lasica, and by introducing this new method, UKCV has taken an important step toward improving the safety of neurosurgical procedures in line with modern international standards.

Why Is This Operation Particularly Challenging?

A brain aneurysm is a bulging of the wall of a blood vessel that often causes no symptoms. However, if it ruptures, it can cause serious bleeding in the space surrounding the brain, potentially resulting in death or permanent health consequences.

In this case, the aneurysm was located on the middle cerebral artery, one of the blood vessels supplying important areas of the brain.

Operations in this area require exceptional precision, as the aneurysm must be sealed while normal blood flow through the surrounding blood vessels is preserved.

According to UKCV, during the operation, a small titanium clip is placed on the aneurysm to prevent further blood from entering the enlarged section of the blood vessel.

The most important thing is to close the aneurysm completely while ensuring that blood continues to flow unobstructed through the other arteries.

New Technology Allows Doctors to See the Results Immediately

A particular advantage of this operation was the use of a method known as ICG video angiography.

This technology allows doctors to see how blood flows through the cerebral arteries in real time during surgery.

After the clip is placed, a special fluorescent dye called indocyanine green is injected into the patient’s vein.

Using a specialized operating microscope, the neurosurgeon can check within just a few seconds whether the aneurysm has been completely sealed and whether blood is flowing normally through the surrounding blood vessels.

If a problem is detected, the position of the clip can be adjusted immediately, without the need for an additional operation.

UKCV emphasizes that the method is quick, safe, does not require exposure to radiation, and can be repeated several times during the same procedure.

During this operation, the advanced GLOW800 microscope system manufactured by Leica was used. It employs augmented reality technology to display blood flow directly over the image of the surgical field.

This allows the surgeon to monitor the condition of the blood vessels without interrupting the operation.

Knowledge Acquired in the United States Applied in Novi Sad

The University Clinical Centre of Vojvodina states that the introduction of this method is the result of long-term planning by its Neurosurgery Clinic, headed by Professor Dr. Đula Đilvesi, as well as the continuous professional development of its staff.

Dr. Nebojša Lasica previously received specialized training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the Rothon Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, leading medical centers in the United States.

The acquisition of an advanced operating microscope and the necessary equipment has made it possible to apply the knowledge gained during professional training in everyday patient care.

Important Role of the Entire Medical Team

In addition to the neurosurgeon, the anesthesiology team also played an important role in the successful operation, with Associate Professor Dr. Sanja Maričić Prijić among its members.

During procedures of this kind, blood pressure must be carefully controlled and the patient’s condition kept stable, making cooperation between surgeons and anesthesiologists crucial.

The operating room nurses also made an important contribution, as their precise and coordinated work enables complex neurosurgical procedures to be performed without interruption.

The successful operation represents significant progress for the UKCV Neurosurgery Clinic, as it enables the use of an advanced method for monitoring blood flow during aneurysm surgery, providing additional safety for patients.