Imagine the sounds of an operating room— the steady beeping of medical machines, paired with the soft melodies of a live instrument.
This isn’t a scene from a sci-fi movie, but a fascinating real-life medical practice where musicians perform while undergoing brain surgery.
Curious how science makes this possible? Keep reading!
Musicians Playing During Brain Surgery: A Blend of Art and Science
The surgeries are called awake craniotomies, where patients are kept conscious during the procedure. The goal? To ensure critical brain functions are preserved while surgeons remove tumors or treat neurological conditions. One of the most famous examples is violinist Dagmar Turner, who played her violin while surgeons at King’s College Hospital in London removed a brain tumor.
Doctors woke her mid-surgery to make sure they didn’t damage areas of her brain responsible for fine motor skills—essential for her ability to play. “We knew how important the violin is to Dagmar, so it was vital that we preserved function in the delicate areas of her brain that allowed her to play,” said neurosurgeon Keyoumars Ashkan.
Before the surgery, doctors use advanced functional MRI (fMRI) to map out specific brain regions responsible for certain functions like hand coordination, speech, or music comprehension. In Turner’s case, they focused on the areas that control her ability to play the violin. Once she was awake, her brain activity could be monitored in real-time as she played, helping doctors make millimeter-precise decisions to avoid damaging vital areas.
Not an Isolated Case
Of course, Turner’s story isn’t an isolated case. Similar surgeries have been performed with patients playing various instruments, including the saxophone and guitar. In one notable case, a music teacher played his saxophone during surgery to remove a tumor. This operation involved mapping brain regions related to music comprehension, a task that is especially complex and crucial for musicians.
Another powerful story is that of guitarist Robert Alvarez, who played his guitar during his brain surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Suffering from migraines and eventually diagnosed with a brain tumor, Alvarez faced the risk of losing his ability to play guitar. By playing during surgery, doctors could track and preserve the areas controlling his guitar-playing skills.
What’s groundbreaking about these surgeries is the level of personalized care made possible by brain mapping techniques like fMRI. Every brain is different, and for each patient, surgeons create a “personalized brain map.” This allows them to test functions unique to the individual—whether it’s a musician playing an instrument or an accountant solving math problems. As Brad Mahon, a cognitive neuroscientist, explains, these maps allow surgeons to make decisions down to the millimeter.
Beyond the Science: Courage and Art Meet Medicine
For the patients, playing an instrument in the middle of brain surgery is more than just a test of coordination; it’s a personal, emotional experience. For Alvarez, playing a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep” while his tumor was removed wasn’t just about preserving his motor skills—it was about staying connected to his passion, even in the face of a life-threatening condition. His performance went viral, inspiring countless people.
In another case, drummer Adrian Rivas was hesitant to undergo an awake craniotomy until he saw Alvarez’s surgery video. Encouraged by Alvarez’s success, Rivas agreed to play drums during his own surgery, using a practice kit to test his coordination as doctors removed his tumor.
These surgeries are just an amazing convergence of art and science. By allowing patients to perform tasks like playing instruments, doctors are better equipped to protect the abilities that make each person unique, because it’s not just about removing a tumor—it’s about preserving the essence of who these patients are as musicians, artists, and individuals.
