Jammu, Mar 18: The Neurosurgery Department at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu has marked a new achievement by successfully executing a highly intricate reconstructive surgery on a 15-year-old girl from Pathankot, who was suffering from a rare bony tumour affecting her forehead and eye socket.

The surgery, which involved weeks of meticulous planning, was conducted by Dr Kanav Gupta and Dr Shaurya Darbari, Assistant Professors in the Neurosurgery Department, with support from the anaesthesia team led by Dr Raksha Kundal, Associate Professor and Dr Aleesha, Assistant Professor (Department of Anaesthesia).

The young patient, according to doctors, was diagnosed with an aneurysmal bone cyst, a benign yet aggressive tumour that resulted in a noticeable facial deformity and a gradual loss of vision. This condition had a significant impact on her self-esteem, even preventing her from attending school. The case was particularly challenging due to the tumour’s tendency to bleed heavily, and in this instance, it was also invading the brain and receiving a part of its blood supply from the healthy brain.

During the procedure, several advanced technologies were utilised. Intraoperative navigation assisted the surgeons in accurately identifying the tumour’s deep extensions around the eye socket. A cell saver system was employed to collect, purify, and re-infuse the patient’s own blood, eliminating the need for extensive blood transfusions.

After the complete removal of the tumour, the bony defect was reconstructed using a titanium graft. The eyebrow area, essential for cosmetic appearance, was carefully reconstructed using a quick-setting polymer bone putty, moulded during the operation to match the natural shape and contour of the opposite eyebrow.

“The young girl has made a good recovery and is now ready to be discharged with restored facial symmetry and vision, a transformative change for her and her family,” the doctors stated.

Reflecting on the achievement, Dr Shaurya Darbari, officiating Head of the Department of Neurosurgery, stated, “This case underscores the progress our department has made since its establishment just seven months ago. We have been tackling highly challenging cases many deemed inoperable elsewhere and have already performed over 120 neurosurgeries. Patients from Jammu, Kashmir, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh are now coming here for advanced neurosurgical care. The pace of growth and innovation has been very encouraging.”

Prof (Dr) D N Sharma, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Jammu, expressed pride in the accomplishment, saying, “The success of the neurosurgery team is a source of great pride for the entire institute. Until recently, patients from this region had to travel long distances to AIIMS New Delhi or PGIMER Chandigarh for complex brain and spinal surgeries, often facing long waiting periods. That expertise is now available right here in Jammu and this achievement reflects AIIMS Jammu’s commitment to delivering world-class healthcare locally.”

Jammu, Mar 18: A house belonging to a notorious drug peddler was attached in Samba district on Wednesday, police said.

The house of Masoom Ali alias ‘Kala’ was attached at Rakh Barotian in Vijaypur tehsil, under section 68-F of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, a police spokesperson said.

Valued at about Rs 40 lakh, the property, he said, was bought with proceeds from illegal jobs.

Masoom Ali has been named in five FIRs registered at three different police stations in Samba, the spokesperson said. He has been lodged in the Udhampur jail since last year.

Jammu, March 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Police have issued a public notice seeking information, video recordings, and photographs from people who attended a marriage function where an assassination attempt was made on National Conference president Farooq Abdullah here.

Police on Sunday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the recent incident of firing at Abdullah at a wedding function in the Greater Kailash area here on Wednesday.

According to the notice issued by the Range Headquarters Jammu–Samba–Kathua, DIG Shiv Kumar Sharma appealed to all guests present at the function, members of the public, or anyone possessing digital evidence or information related to the incident to share it with the investigating agency.

“Contact numbers provided for the purpose include 9419150173, 9419131379, and 9419186210,” he said.

The DIG said that the incident occurred on March 11 during a wedding at Royal Park, Greater Kailash in Jammu. Police Station Gangyal has registered an FIR in connection with the case, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the matter.

He emphasised that public cooperation would significantly assist the SIT in collecting crucial evidence and ensuring a transparent investigation.

Jammu Zone Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bhim Sen Tuti on Sunday ordered the setting up of the SIT under the supervision of the deputy inspector general of police, Jammu–Samba–Kathua Range, considering the “seriousness and sensitivity” of the case.

Last Wednesday night, Abdullah, the former chief minister, had a miraculous escape when a gunman opened fire on him from behind while he was leaving a marriage function at the Royal Park banquet hall in the Greater Kailash area.

The 63-year-old accused, identified as Kamal Singh, was overpowered and arrested on the spot. A revolver used in the crime was recovered from his possession.