Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri has released a powerful medical documentary titled “Awake Brain Surgery: Where Miracles Begin,” which follows the true story of a multidisciplinary medical team performing brain tumor surgery using advanced technology and modern surgical techniques. The documentary premiered at Cinema XXI Lippo Mall Puri on Saturday (July 26).
This documentary captures the journey of Dr. dr. Mardjono Tjahjadi, Sp.BS, Subsp. N-Vas, F. N-Onk, PhD, FICS, IFAANS—affectionately known as Dr. Joy—an Indonesian neurosurgeon with international recognition. He is joined by a skilled medical team from Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, including neuromuscular neurologist Dr. Luh Ari Indrawati, Sp.N, Subsp. E.N.K.(K), and intensive care anesthesiologist Dr. Primartanto Wibowo, Sp.An-KIC. The film demonstrates how seamless collaboration among specialists can create true medical miracles in the operating room.
The film opens with a profound philosophy about neurosurgery, described as an art that tolerates no error. Dr. Joy compares brain surgery to a symphony performed by an orchestra, where even the slightest mistake can disrupt the harmony and endanger the patient’s life.
Told through two real-life patient stories, the film immerses the audience in the meticulous precision and humanity behind every brain surgery.
The first case follows Ryu, a 6-year-old boy with a 5x5x5 cm brain tumor located in the posterior fossa. In a 2-hour operation, Dr. Joy successfully removed the tumor using microsurgical techniques. Just hours after surgery, Ryu could stand and eat normally—an extraordinary recovery.
The second case features Mr. Robby, a man who suffered from epilepsy for 16 years due to a tumor in his frontal lobe. During the awake brain surgery procedure, he remained conscious and engaged in conversation with the surgical team to ensure that his speech function was preserved. As a result, he regained his ability to speak and move, overcoming years of neurological impairment.
“Through this documentary, we hope the public realizes that Indonesia’s medical technology and local medical expertise have significantly advanced—even in treating complex brain conditions—thus increasing public trust in Indonesian doctors and healthcare,” said Erwin Suyanto, Public Relations of Mandaya Hospital Group.
Successful Brain Surgeries Made Possible by Advanced Technology and Experienced Doctors
The impressive surgical outcomes featured in “Awake Brain Surgery: Where Miracles Begin” were made possible by the use of sophisticated neurosurgical technologies available at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri. One key tool is intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), a real-time monitoring system that tracks nervous system function during brain tumor surgeries and helps prevent nerve damage.
The hospital also features modern operating rooms designed to support high-risk procedures like awake brain surgery. Complementing this are various cutting-edge medical technologies that further enhance surgical success, including:
- Digital PET CT Scan
- IQon Spectral CT Scan
- LINAC ELEKTA VERSA HD Radiotherapy
- Ingenia Ambition X MRI
Behind these technologies is the close collaboration of specialists—neurosurgeons, neurologists, and anesthesiologists—working together as one cohesive team to deliver the best possible outcomes for each patient.
The documentary also sheds light on Dr. Joy’s impressive academic background. He earned his PhD in just 18 months and 12 days in Helsinki, Finland—an achievement recognized by the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI). There, he studied under the mentorship of Prof. Juha Hernesniemi, a global neurosurgery icon who taught him to respect every millimeter of brain tissue as life itself.
Beyond the technical and scientific aspects, “Awake Brain Surgery: Where Miracles Begin” touches on the emotional and human side of medicine. Through testimonials from patients, families, and fellow doctors, the film portrays Dr. Joy not only as a highly skilled surgeon, but also as a figure of compassion who brings hope and reassurance in critical moments.
With the launch of this documentary, Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri hopes to inspire greater public understanding of how expertise, technology, and empathy can transform lives in the modern medical landscape.
“The release of this film reflects our commitment to educating the public on the importance of technology, team collaboration, and human values in every medical procedure,” Erwin concluded.
