SIMS Hospital, Vadapalani, Chennai – India
About Dr. Vishwaraj Ratha
Dr. Vishwaraj Ratha is an internationally acclaimed and one of the leading neurosurgeons in India, celebrated for his pioneering work and academic excellence. A gold medallist in MCh Neurosurgery, he has trained at prestigious institutions in India, Singapore, and the USA. Dr. Ratha is a top neurosurgeon in Chennai, renowned for having pioneered Awake Neurosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia in India, a feat that places his centre as the second in the world to offer this advanced procedure. His expertise spans the breadth of neurosurgery, with a special focus on Epilepsy Surgery, Endoscopic Neurosurgery, and Paediatric Neurosurgery. As a key member of a team that developed real-time intraoperative neuromonitoring for spine surgery, his commitment to innovation, patient safety, and functional outcomes is unparalleled.
Medical Degrees:
- MBBS - King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, Mumbai
- MS (General Surgery) - Government Medical College, Nagpur
- MCh (Neurosurgery) - Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Mumbai
- WFNS Fellowship - Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
- Skull Base Lab Fellowship - University of Pittsburgh, USA
Major Conditions Treated:
- Epilepsy
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Brain Tumours (Gliomas, Medulloblastoma, etc.)
- Rathke's Cleft Cysts and other Pituitary Lesions
- Hydrocephalus
- Paediatric Brain and Spine conditions
- Spinal Cord Tumours
- Neuro-trauma
- Epilepsy Surgery
- Awake Brain Surgery
- Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery
- Skull Base Surgery
- Paediatric Neurosurgery
- Functional Neurosurgery
- Awake Craniotomy for tumour resection and functional mapping.
- Awake Microvascular Decompression (MVD) for Trigeminal Neuralgia.
- Epilepsy Surgery (Temporal Lobectomy, Lesionectomy, Corpus Callosotomy).
- Endoscopic removal of pituitary tumours and cysts.
- Surgery for Brainstem Gliomas.
- Real-time Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) for brain and spine surgery.
- Paediatric neurosurgical procedures.
Current Affiliations:
- Senior Consultant – Neurosurgery, SIMS Hospital, Vadapalani, Chennai
- Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram
- Co-authored chapters in 4 neurosurgery textbooks.
- Published 10 international papers in reputed journals such as World Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery.
- Active presenter at prestigious global conferences, including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Meeting.
- Pioneered Awake Neurosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia in India.
- Part of the pioneering team that developed a novel real-time intraoperative neuromonitoring system for spine surgery (patent awaited).
- Recognised for his work on awake craniotomy in pre-adolescent children, pushing the boundaries of paediatric neurosurgery.
- Gold Medal (University 1st Rank) in MCh Neurosurgery, MUHS, Nasik.
- Best Neurosurgery Resident Award by Bombay Neurosciences Academy (2013).
- WFNS Fellowship at Singapore General Hospital (2014).
- Skull Base Lab Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, USA.
- Best Paper Award at NIMACON (2010).
- Prof. Hakim Best Ophthalmology Student Award.
Dr. Ratha is an academic neurosurgeon with significant contributions to medical literature, focusing on innovative surgical techniques and management of complex cases.
- Technical considerations in awake craniotomy with cortical and subcortical motor mapping in preadolescents: pushing the envelope - Pediatric Neurosurgery (2021)
- Surgical management of Rathke cleft cysts - World Neurosurgery (2017)
- Changing paradigms in the surgical management of brainstem gliomas - Neurology India (2019)
- Extra-axial cerebellopontine angle adult medulloblastoma: An unusual presentation at an unusual site - Indian Journal of Neurosurgery (2019)
Notable Cases Handled:
- Performing awake brain surgery on patients with tumours in eloquent areas (motor or speech cortex), successfully removing the tumour while preserving function.
- Curing patients of debilitating facial pain by pioneering awake microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia.
- Successfully operating on complex brainstem and cerebellopontine angle lesions.
- "I had a brain tumour near my speech area, and the thought of losing my ability to talk was terrifying. Dr. Vishwaraj Ratha performed an awake craniotomy, talking to me throughout the surgery to ensure my speech was safe. It was a surreal but incredible experience. He is a true innovator and a lifesaver." - Mr. Anand K.
- "For years, I suffered from trigeminal neuralgia, which felt like electric shocks in my face. Medications failed me. Dr. Ratha offered me an awake surgery, a procedure he pioneered. The surgery was a success, and I have been pain-free ever since. He is a genius." - Mrs. Lakshmi P.
- "Dr. Ratha treated our child for a complex brain condition. His expertise in paediatric neurosurgery is matched by his compassion and patience. He explained everything to us in detail and handled our child with utmost care. We trust him completely." - The Gupta Family
- Patient-Centred Care: Dr. Ratha is deeply committed to a holistic approach to patient care, which extends beyond surgery to include neuro-cognitive rehabilitation and neurologic music therapy. He believes in empowering patients by preserving their neurological function and ensuring the best possible quality of life.
- Technology & Innovation: Dr. Ratha is a true pioneer, constantly pushing the envelope of what is possible in neurosurgery. His work in Awake Neurosurgery and Intraoperative Neuromonitoring demonstrates his philosophy of using cutting-edge technology to make complex surgeries safer and more effective.
For the consultation fee, you can connect with the Cancer Rounds team. The costs for advanced neurosurgical procedures performed by Dr. Ratha are indicative and depend on the complexity of the surgery, the technology required, and the duration of the hospital stay.
Note: These are approximate costs. For a precise, personalised cost estimate, please contact the Cancer Rounds team.
| Treatment / Procedure | Estimated Cost (in INR) | Estimated Cost (in USD) |
| Awake Craniotomy for Tumour Resection | ₹ 6,00,000 - ₹ 10,00,000 | $ 7,200 - $ 12,000 |
| Epilepsy Surgery | ₹ 5,50,000 - ₹ 9,00,000 | $ 6,600 - $ 10,800 |
| Microvascular Decompression (MVD) - Awake/Asleep | ₹ 4,50,000 - ₹ 7,50,000 | $ 5,400 - $ 9,000 |
| Endoscopic Pituitary/Skull Base Surgery | ₹ 5,00,000 - ₹ 8,00,000 | $ 6,000 - $ 9,600 |
| Paediatric Neurosurgery (Complex) | ₹ 4,00,000 - ₹ 7,00,000 | $ 4,800 - $ 8,400 |
- Language Support: The Cancer Rounds team provides professional interpreters for various languages, ensuring that international patients have a clear and stress-free communication experience with the medical team.
- Visa & Travel Assistance: We offer comprehensive support, including medical visa invitation letters, assistance with travel and accommodation, and airport transfers, to facilitate a smooth medical journey to India.
- Pre-treatment Virtual Consultations: Dr. Ratha is available for detailed video consultations for patients worldwide. This allows international patients to get an expert opinion from a pioneer in the field and plan their treatment journey with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Ratha is a leading neurosurgeon in India due to his pioneering work in Awake Neurosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia, his international fellowships in Singapore and the USA, and his gold medal-winning academic record. His focus on innovative, function-preserving surgery places him at the forefront of neurosurgery in India.
Awake Neurosurgery, or awake craniotomy, is a procedure where the patient is kept awake during parts of the brain surgery. This allows the surgeon to test the patient's functions (like speech or movement) in real-time while removing a tumour from a critical area of the brain, thereby maximising tumour removal and minimising the risk of neurological damage.
Dr. Ratha pioneered the use of Awake Microvascular Decompression (MVD) for Trigeminal Neuralgia in India. This allows for immediate confirmation that the nerve has been successfully decompressed, potentially improving success rates for this procedure that cures severe facial pain.
Yes, Dr. Ratha has significant expertise in Paediatric Neurosurgery. He has even published research on performing awake craniotomies on pre-adolescent children, a highly specialised and challenging field.
IONM is the use of electrophysiological methods to monitor the function of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves during surgery. Dr. Ratha was part of a team that pioneered a real-time IONM system for spine surgery, which acts as a safety net to prevent nerve damage.
The University of Pittsburgh is a world-renowned centre for skull base surgery. A fellowship from this institution signifies that Dr. Ratha has received elite, hands-on training in managing the most complex tumours and conditions at the base of the skull, under the mentorship of global leaders.
Epilepsy surgery is a procedure to remove or alter the area of the brain where seizures originate. It is a highly effective treatment option for patients whose seizures are not controlled by medication. Dr. Ratha has special expertise in this sub-specialty.
Dr. Ratha's areas of interest include neuro-cognitive rehabilitation and neurologic music therapy. This reflects a holistic approach that focuses not just on the surgery itself, but also on helping patients recover their cognitive and motor functions to the fullest extent possible after surgery.
Receiving a gold medal means that Dr. Ratha secured the first rank in his MCh (Master of Chirurgiae) Neurosurgery examinations across the entire university. This is the highest academic honour for a super-specialty degree and signifies exceptional knowledge and skill.
You can easily arrange for a virtual consultation for a second opinion with Dr. Ratha by contacting the Cancer Rounds team. We can help you with the process of sharing your medical reports and scheduling an appointment to discuss your case with a true pioneer in the field.
Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai - India
