A Doctor Who Defeated Death to Heal Others
Among those who truly embody this message is Dr. Deepak Kulkarni (61), a senior neurosurgeon from Indore. Having performed over 10,000 brain surgeries, Dr. Kulkarni once found himself on the other side of the surgical table — battling a brain hemorrhage mid-surgery. Against all odds, he recovered and returned to the operating room to continue saving lives.
The Record-Holding Neurosurgeon
Dr. Kulkarni’s expertise is internationally recognized. In 2001, he earned a place in both the Guinness World Records and the Limca Book of Records for successfully removing a 570-gram brain tumor. Over the years, he has received numerous national and international honors for his pioneering work in treating brain hemorrhages, tumors, and cranial deformities.
The Day Everything Changed
On August 18, 2023, while performing a critical brain surgery, Dr. Kulkarni was suddenly struck by a severe headache — one he immediately recognized as potentially dangerous.
“It was unlike any headache I’d ever felt,” he recalls. “I knew it could be a brain hemorrhage.”
Yet, his patient was in a coma, and abandoning the surgery was not an option. Despite the pain, he continued operating for another 90 minutes, successfully completing the three-hour procedure — even as his own life hung in the balance.
Diagnosis: Ruptured Brain Aneurysm
Post-surgery, Dr. Kulkarni’s condition worsened. A scan revealed a ruptured aneurysm, a burst artery in the brain causing internal bleeding — a condition that can be fatal without immediate treatment.
He was rushed to a hospital in Indore, where renowned Mumbai neurosurgeon Dr. Atul Goel led a three-hour brain clipping surgery. Dr. Kulkarni spent 48 hours unconscious and a week on a ventilator, followed by 45 days of hospitalization before starting his long road to recovery.
From Patient to Surgeon Once More
Initially left with weakness in one hand and leg, Dr. Kulkarni underwent months of rigorous physiotherapy.
“Within three months, I was back in the operating theater,” he smiles. “Now I handle even more complex cases than before.”
His colleagues affectionately say he’s “sharper than ever.” He credits his recovery to discipline, faith, and the unwavering support of his wife Jyoti and sons Mehak and Meher.
“Their encouragement was my best medicine,” he says. “Family truly matters the most when life tests you.”
A Second Chance at Life
Dr. Kulkarni calls his survival a “miracle.”
“Had I ignored the symptoms or delayed treatment, I might not be here today,” he admits.
Today, he performs 15–20 brain surgeries a month, giving others the second chance at life that he himself was given.
His Message on World Stroke Day
Dr. Kulkarni’s advice is simple yet powerful:
“Most strokes are preventable. Eat balanced meals, reduce salt and oil, avoid excess sugar, and exercise regularly.”
He urges everyone to watch for warning signs like:
Seeking treatment within the first 3–4 hours the golden window can save lives and prevent permanent disability.
A Life of Service and Recognition
A leading name in Madhya Pradesh’s medical community, Dr. Kulkarni is best known for performing a life-saving surgery on IPS officer Niranjan B. Vayangankar in 2019 after a severe head injury. The procedure, requested by then-Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, earned him state-wide acclaim.
He continues to be invited by the MP government for special surgeries at Indore’s MY Hospital, embodying resilience, dedication, and compassion the very qualities that define a healer who once became his own patient
4.jpg)
1.jpg)
