Woman plays violin during brain surgery

Brain surgery is risky and intricate for anyone – but especially for someone whose entire passion relies on the use of their hands. After discovering that she had a brain tumour, violinist Dagmar Turner’s main concern was that the surgery did not damage the part which controls the fine movement of her hands.

As reported by Sky News, the 53-year-old said, “The violin is my passion, I’ve been playing since I was 10 years old. The thought of losing my ability to play was heartbreaking.”

Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, a consultant neurosurgeon at the hospital, said, “This was the first time I’ve had a patient play an instrument.”

“We managed to remove over 90% of the tumour, including all the areas suspicious of aggressive activity, while retaining full function in her left hand.”