VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi – India
About Dr. Sudish Karunakaran MS
Dr. Sudish Karunakaran is a highly distinguished and leading neurosurgeon in India, renowned for his expertise in complex brain and spine disorders. With over two decades of experience, he combines advanced international training with compassionate patient care. Dr. Sudish holds dual postdoctoral fellowships in Neurovascular Surgery and Paediatric Neurosurgery, having trained at prestigious institutions in India and the UK, including the Royal College of Surgeons, England. He spent several years as a Consultant at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK, before bringing his skills back to India. Recognized as one of the best spine surgeons in Kerala, he specialises in minimally invasive procedures, awake craniotomy for brain tumours, and advanced navigation-guided surgeries. His dedication to clinical excellence makes him a preferred choice for patients seeking world-class neurosurgical care.
Qualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees
- MBBS
- MS
- MCh (Neurosurgery)
- FRCS Neurosurgery: Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, UK.
- MRCS: Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, UK.
- Postdoctoral Fellowship in Paediatric Neurosurgery: Bristol, UK.
- Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neurovascular Surgery: Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), India.
- Clinical Attachment: Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle, UK (2005).
Areas of Expertise
Major Conditions Treated
- Gliomas
- Meningiomas
- Pituitary Adenomas
- Spine Tumours (Intramedullary and Extramedullary)
- Herniated/Slipped Disc (Disc Prolapse)
- Hydrocephalus
- Brain Aneurysms and Vascular Malformations
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Head Injuries and Trauma
- Spine Fractures
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)
- Paediatric Neurosurgery
- Neurovascular Surgery
- Skull Base Surgery
- Neuroendoscopy
- Awake Craniotomy
- Navigation Guided Surgery
- Microdiscectomy & Endoscopic Discectomy
- Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) Shunt & ETV
- Intraoperative Neuromonitoring
- ICP Monitoring
List of Disease and Treatment for which Dr. Sudish Karunakaran MS can be consulted
Professional Experience
Current & Past Hospital Affiliations
- Current Affiliation: Senior Consultant & HOD – Neurosurgery & Paediatric Neurosurgery, VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi.
- Past Affiliations:
- Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon & HOD, Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi (2008 – 2018).
- Consultant Neurosurgeon, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK (2005 – 2007).
- Neurosurgery Consultant, Baby Memorial Hospital, Calicut (2005).
- General Surgery DNB Registrar, Medical College, Trivandrum (1998 – 1999).
- Recognised as a top neurosurgeon in India for introducing advanced neuro-monitoring techniques in trauma care.
- Played a pivotal role in establishing high standards for Paediatric Neurosurgery in Kerala following his specialized training in Bristol.
- Expertise in Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES), providing surgical relief for chronic abdominal pain where other treatments failed.
Research & Publications
Published Papers in Medical Journals
- Anterior Cutaneous Neurectomy—Child's Play? (Journal of Pediatric Neurology, 2024)
- A Comparative Analysis Of Transcranial and Endoscopic Repair For Traumatic CSF Rhinorrhoea (Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part A: Central European Neurosurgery, 2022)
- ICP monitoring in diffuse brain injury: clarifications (Acta Neurochirurgica, 2018)
- Intracranial pressure monitoring in diffuse brain injury—why the developing world needs it more? (Acta Neurochirurgica, 2018)
- Thyrotropic pituitary adenoma with plurihormonal immunoreactivity (Neurology India, 2017)
- Cry of the brain (Acta Neurochirurgica, 2015)
Patient Success Stories & Testimonials
Notable Cases Handled
- Dr. Sudish Karunakaran has successfully performed numerous complex awake craniotomies, allowing for the safe removal of brain tumours while preserving speech and movement. He is also noted for his success in treating chronic abdominal pain in children through Anterior Cutaneous Neurectomy, a condition often misdiagnosed. His minimally invasive approach to spinal disc herniation has helped hundreds of patients return to active lifestyles quickly.
- "I had been suffering from severe back pain due to a slipped disc for years. I was terrified of surgery, but Dr. Sudish Karunakaran explained the minimally invasive option so clearly. The surgery was quick, and I was walking the very next day. He is truly the best spine surgeon in Kochi."– R. Menon
- "When our son was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, we were devastated. Dr. Sudish’s expertise in paediatric neurosurgery was a godsend. He performed an endoscopic procedure that saved our child from having a permanent shunt. His calm demeanour and British training really show in his work."– S. Thomas
- "My father required surgery for a complex brain tumour. Dr. Sudish performed an awake craniotomy, which sounded scary, but the results were miraculous. My father retained all his functions and recovered faster than we imagined. We are forever grateful to this leading neurosurgeon."– A. Kapoor
Treatment Approach & Philosophy
Patient-Centred Care
- Dr. Sudish believes in a holistic approach where the patient's quality of life is paramount. As a top neurosurgeon in India, he prioritises conservative management and minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to ensure faster recovery and reduced pain. He ensures that patients and families are fully educated about the condition before proceeding with surgery.
- Dr. Sudish integrates the latest technological advancements into his practice, including neuronavigation, neuroendoscopy, and intraoperative monitoring. This commitment to technology ensures high precision in delicate brain and spine surgeries, minimising risks and maximising outcomes.
Treatment Costs
The costs for neurosurgical procedures vary depending on the complexity of the case, the type of room selected, and the specific technology required (e.g., implants, neuronavigation).
Note: For appointment booking and to get a personalised cost estimate, you can connect with the Cancer Rounds team.
| Treatment / Procedure | Approximate Cost (INR) | Approximate Cost (USD) |
| Craniotomy (Brain Tumour) | ₹3,50,000 - ₹5,50,000 | $4,200 - $6,600 |
| Microdiscectomy (Spine) | ₹2,50,000 - ₹3,50,000 | $3,000 - $4,200 |
| VP Shunt (Hydrocephalus) | ₹1,50,000 - ₹2,50,000 | $1,800 - $3,000 |
| Spine Fusion Surgery | ₹4,00,000 - ₹6,50,000 | $4,800 - $7,800 |
| Deep Brain Stimulation | ₹12,00,000 - ₹16,00,000 | $14,400 - $19,200 |
International Patient Assistance
Language Support
- The Cancer Rounds team provides dedicated language support to ensure seamless communication between international patients and Dr. Sudish Karunakaran, facilitating a clear understanding of medical procedures.
- For patients travelling from abroad, the Cancer Rounds team assists with medical visa invitations, airport transfers, and accommodation arrangements near the hospital in Kochi.
- To assess eligibility and provide a preliminary treatment plan, Cancer Rounds facilitates video consultations with Dr. Sudish Karunakaran before the patient travels to India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Sudish Karunakaran holds prestigious qualifications including FRCS (Neurosurgery) from England and has over 20 years of experience. His dual fellowships in Paediatric and Neurovascular surgery, combined with his tenure as a consultant in the UK, position him as a highly skilled and top neurosurgeon in India.
Yes, Dr. Sudish Karunakaran is a specialist in Paediatric Neurosurgery. He completed a specific Postdoctoral Fellowship in this field in Bristol, UK, and is an expert in treating conditions like hydrocephalus and congenital brain disorders in children.
Dr. Sudish Karunakaran is considered one of the best spine surgeons in Kerala for his expertise in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS). He prefers Microdiscectomy or Endoscopic Discectomy, which involves smaller incisions, less pain, and a faster return to normal activities compared to open surgery.
Awake Craniotomy is a specialised procedure that Dr. Sudish Karunakaran performs for brain tumours located near critical areas controlling speech or movement. It is considered safe and allows the surgeon to monitor the patient's function in real-time to prevent damage to healthy brain tissue.
International patients can easily book an appointment with Dr. Sudish Karunakaran by contacting the Cancer Rounds team. They assist with scheduling, video consultations, and travel logistics.
Yes, Dr. Sudish Karunakaran has extensive experience in treating severe head injuries. He utilises advanced ICP (Intracranial Pressure) monitoring to guide the management of traumatic brain injury, which significantly improves patient survival and recovery rates.
Dr. Sudish Karunakaran treats a wide range of spine tumours, including Intramedullary (inside the spinal cord) and Extramedullary (outside the spinal cord) tumours, utilising navigation-guided surgery for precision.
Dr. Sudish Karunakaran is currently the Senior Consultant and HOD of Neurosurgery at VPS Lakeshore Hospital in Kochi, Kerala.
ACNES surgery is a procedure for chronic abdominal pain caused by nerve entrapment. Dr. Sudish Karunakaran has published research on this and performs neurectomy for patients (including children) who do not respond to medical management, often providing significant pain relief.
Yes, Dr. Sudish Karunakaran utilises advanced Navigation Guided systems for both brain and spine surgeries. This technology acts like a GPS for the surgeon, allowing for high accuracy in removing tumours while sparing healthy tissue.
VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi - India
Spinal Cord Tumour
