Strange

Musician Eddie Adcock Plays the Banjo During Brain Surgery

by Jon Azpiri | October 16, 2008 at 02:41 pm

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Veteran bluegrass musician Eddie Adcock had the performance of his life at a Tennessee hospital. Adcock was asked to play the banjo while surgeons operated on his brain. Doctors chose to give Adcock a local anesthetic and keep him awake and active during brain surgery so they could zero in on the part of the brain that was causing his right hand to tremor.

The procedure, known as "deep-brain stimulation", involves an implanted electrode that gives the brain small electric shocks to suppress the nerve cells responsible for the tremor. Adcock's banjo picking helped them find the source of the problem quickly.

He lay on a table, clutching his banjo to his chest and picking at the strings, while surgeons prodded his brain through a hole in his skull.

When the surgeons found the right part of the brain, Adcock instantly regained his ability and was able to play at full speed once again.

The operation ended on a high note with a twang of lightning-fast-banjo picking.

"I came up in music the hard way and learned to be a trouper fast,' he said.

"Some of those early days were pretty rough, and I've been stomped, cut and kicked; but I never went through hell like this - it was the most painful thing I've ever endured.

Video of the procedure can be viwed here.

2 See all footage | View Slideshow

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