Watch: Musician plays saxophone through complex 9-hour awake brain surgery

A musician in Italy who was undergoing brain surgery played the saxophone during a complex 9-hour procedure. The 35-year-old patient, identified as GZ, was going through surgery which was performed by Neurosurgeon Christian Brogna and his team, when he played the saxophone, which left netizens surprised.

Brain surgery is one of the most complex and rigorous procedures. According to a news release by Paideia International Hospital in Rome, the patient chose to play the saxophone during surgery, which allowed doctors to map different functions of his brain—all at once—as they operated.

"Awake surgery makes it possible to map with extreme precision during surgery the neuronal networks that underlie the various brain functions such as playing, speaking, moving, remembering, counting," Brogna explained.


The patient played the theme song from the 1970 American film ‘Love Story’ and the Italian national anthem at different points throughout the surgery, CBS reported.

The video was shared on Instagram by a user named alicemartinelli and has already received more than 1,600 likes, while many users have left heartfelt messages for the patient.

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A post shared by Alice Martinelli (@alicemartinelli)

While keeping the patient awake during the surgery, the doctors could ensure that they were not compromising with his neurological functions. The patient had reportedly informed the doctors prior to the surgery that his ability to play instruments was essential to him and it needed to be preserved by them.

Doctors pay the utmost attention to a patients’ personality during such procedures as one bad cut could alter their identity and affect the quality of life in future.

"When we operate on the brain, we are operating on the sense of self, so we need to make sure that we do not damage the patient as a person — their personality, the way they feel emotions, the way they get through life,” Brogna told the news outlet.

“The patient will tell you what is important in his life and it is your job to protect his wishes," the neurosurgeon added.

The operation was a success and the patient was discharged from the hospital.