Dr. Ravi Gopal Varma

• MBBS – M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India.
• MS (General Surgery) – Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India.
• MCh (Neurosurgery) – Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum.

• Clinical Fellowship in Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery – London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, Canada.

• Brain Tumours
• Astrocytomas
• Gliomas
• Meningiomas
• Skull Base Tumours
• Spinal Tumours
• Movement Disorders (Parkinson’s Disease, Dystonia, and Essential Tremors)

• Functional Neurosurgery
• Paediatric Neurosurgery
• Vascular Neurosurgery (Aneurysms)
• Spine Surgery (Minimally Invasive)

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
• Stereotactic Surgery
• Endoscopic Neurosurgery
• Dorsal Column Stimulation

Current and Past Hospital Affiliations

Current Affiliation:

• Lead Consultant Neurosurgery & Program Director – Global Centre of Excellence in Neurosciences, Aster CMI & Aster RV Hospitals, Bangalore.

Past Affiliation: 

• Professor & Head, Department of Neurosurgery, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore.
• Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore.

Academic, Teaching, or Research Roles

• Established the MCh Neurosurgery training program at the Institute of Neurosciences, MSRMC, Bangalore.
• Designated Visiting Professor at the Raman Research Institute.
• Former Member of the Board of Studies, NIMHANS (3-year tenure).
• Professor and Head - Neurosurgery at M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore.

Key Achievements and Contributions to Cancer Care & Neurosurgery

• Instrumental in setting up successful DBS programs at NIMS (Hyderabad), KEM Hospital (Mumbai), and Apollo Hospital (Hyderabad).
• Conducted the first successful DBS surgery for Neuroacanthosis in India (third in the world).
• Organized the first International Workshop on Surgery for Movement Disorders where a live DBS surgery was relayed to an interactive forum globally.

• Invited Guest Speaker at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, New Delhi (First Neurosurgeon to be invited), sharing the stage with global dignitaries.
• Selected for a prestigious Indo-Canadian collaboration DBS workshop with advanced training in the Netherlands.
• Recognized for conducting the first successful DBS surgery for Neuroacanthosis in India.

Memberships

• Member of the Neurological Society of India (NSI).
• Member of the Indian Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ISSFN).
• Member of the Indian Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery.

Published Research Papers

• Integrative management of anaplastic astrocytoma through a combination of Ayurveda and conventional care: A case report – Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (2023)
• Minimally Invasive Iliac Screw Insertion: Clinical Case Series and Technical Note – Journal of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Technique (2022)
• Minimally Invasive Subaxial Cervical Pedicle Screw Placement with Routine Fluoroscopy – Journal of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Technique (2022)
• MIS-TLIF: Technical note, Learning goals behind case selection during early part of learning curve and clinical outcomes in first 150 cases – Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics (2022)
• Rare Case of a Solitary Spinal Osteochondroma with Myelopathy Treated by a Minimally Invasive Technique – Journal of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Technique (2021)
• Complete Excision of Intradural-Extraforaminal Spinal Tumors Using a Minimally Invasive 2-Incision Technique – Clinical Spine Surgery (2020)
• Syringo-Subarachnoid Shunt Placement: A Minimally Invasive Technique Using Fixed Tubular Retractors – The International Journal of Spine Surgery (2020)
• Hemichorea-Hemiballism after External Ventricular Drainage – Journal of Movement Disorders (2019)

Transformation in Parkinson’s Disease Management

• Patients suffering from advanced Parkinson’s disease often struggle with severe tremors and rigidity despite medication. Dr. Ravi Gopal Varma has successfully performed Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) on numerous such patients. Families report a dramatic improvement in the patient's motor skills and independence, often describing the surgery as giving their loved ones a "second lease on life."

Extended Survival with Complex Brain Tumours

• Managing high-grade gliomas like Anaplastic Astrocytoma requires a nuanced approach. Patients treated by Dr. Varma have appreciated his openness to integrative care pathways and precise surgical debulking. Feedback often highlights his calm demeanour during critical decision-making and the successful removal of tumours that were previously considered difficult to access, leading to extended survival and improved quality of life.

Relief from Debilitating Spinal Pain

• Patients presenting with complex spinal tumours or compression often fear permanent paralysis. Dr. Varma’s expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery has allowed many patients to undergo tumour removal with minimal tissue damage. Testimonials frequently mention the rapid recovery time and the complete resolution of chronic pain and numbness, allowing them to return to daily activities much sooner than expected.

Patient-Centred Care

• Dr. Varma believes in "unravelling the brain's enigmas" through a personalized approach. He emphasizes clear communication, ensuring patients understand the intricacies of their neurological condition and the potential functional benefits of surgical intervention.

Technology & Innovation

• As a pioneer in functional neurosurgery, he leverages state-of-the-art technology, including neuronavigation and stereotaxy. His approach integrates advanced minimally invasive techniques to reduce recovery time and improve surgical precision in both brain and spine procedures.

The estimated costs of the treatments performed by Dr. Ravi Gopal Varma:

Note: For consultation fee or personalised cost estimate, you can connect with the Cancer Rounds team.

• Cancer Rounds facilitates the treatment journey for international patients seeking Dr. Ravi Gopal Varma’s expertise.
• Services include language interpreters, medical visa assistance, airport transfers, and arranging pre-arrival video consultations to discuss diagnosis and surgical options.