Siddhagiri Hospital’s Dr. Shivashankar Marajakke performs 17-Hour brain bypass surgery
Siddhagiri Hospital and Research Centre, Kanerimath, Kolhapur, has achieved a significant milestone in advanced neurosurgery with the successful completion of what is believed to be the world's first 17-hour brain bypass surgery for an ultra-rare vascular condition. Led by renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Shivashankar Marajakke, the procedure was performed on a patient with a giant aneurysm of the cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) combined with a persistent primitive trigeminal artery—an extremely rare anatomical anomaly in which the diseased ICA was the sole source of blood supply to the brainstem. According to Dr. Marajakke, an extensive review of global medical literature found no previously documented case of such a condition or surgery, making it a potential global first. The patient is stable and recovering well, and the case is being prepared for publication in international medical journals.
The complex 17-hour procedure required advanced brain bypass (revascularization) techniques to preserve blood flow while treating the aneurysm. It involved close coordination between neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, neurophysiologists, and nursing teams. "This was completely uncharted territory. One misstep could have cut off blood flow to the brainstem with fatal consequences. It was meticulous planning, teamwork, and years of experience that made this outcome possible," said Dr. Shivashankar Marajakke. A double gold medalist with experience of more than 100 brain bypass surgeries, Dr. Marajakke is among the few neurosurgeons in India with expertise in these highly specialized procedures and is regularly invited to train surgeons nationally and internationally.
The achievement has brought international recognition to Siddhagiri Hospital and positioned Kolhapur as an emerging centre for advanced neurosurgery. Founded by Pujya Shree Adrushya Kadsiddheshwar Swamiji, Siddhagiri Hospital was established with the vision of delivering world-class healthcare in a charitable, rural setting. Following this landmark case, the institute has been selected to participate in an international research initiative involving 13 leading neurological institutions and 25 global experts—the first Indian institution to receive such recognition for a case of this nature. The hospital also hosted the National Brain Bypass Surgery Workshop in June 2026 under the aegis of the Neurological Society of India, further reinforcing its role as a centre for excellence and training in complex cerebrovascular surgery.
