Chennai’s Kilpauk Medical College Hospital has launched India’s first fully integrated hybrid neurosurgery operating theatre in the government sector. Developed at an estimated cost of ₹18 crore, the facility combines a CT scan, angiography suite, and conventional operating theatre within a single surgical suite, enabling real-time imaging, endovascular intervention, and open surgery without moving the patient between rooms.
The hybrid theatre allows on-table, three-dimensional CT scans or angiography while the patient remains under anesthesia, reducing risks associated with transferring critically ill patients mid-procedure. Surgeons can perform endovascular neuro-interventions, traditional open neurosurgery, or combine both as hybrid procedures depending on patient requirements. This setup enhances precision in complex neurological cases such as aneurysms, vascular malformations, brain tumors, and strokes, while reducing procedural risks and improving patient outcomes.
The facility has already been used for seven patients, including three endovascular procedures and four diagnostic procedures. It is equipped for complex neurosurgical care, including microsurgery, endoscopy, neuro-navigation, and continuous physiological monitoring. The integrated setup is expected to reduce surgery duration, avoid multiple procedures, limit patient transfers, and potentially shorten hospital stays and recovery times.
The project was developed under a state-level health infrastructure initiative with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has funded upgrades to tertiary-care government hospitals, including KMCH. The hybrid theatre represents a major step in improving access to advanced neurosurgical care in the public healthcare sector, allowing patients requiring critical neurovascular interventions to receive state-of-the-art treatment in a government hospital rather than relying solely on private facilities.
With this development, KMCH sets a precedent for other government hospitals across India, demonstrating how integrated imaging and surgical capabilities can enhance safety, reduce risks, and provide faster, more effective treatment for complex neurological conditions.
