A young life threatened by a rare and aggressive tumour has been given the priceless gift of healing and a restored future thanks to the precision, compassion, and innovation of Paediatric Neurosurgeon Professor Llewellyn Padayachy.
Pretoria, South Africa (20 August 2025) – A powerful story of hope recently unfolded in one of the surgical theatre rooms at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital.
Compassion, combined with innovative medical expertise, helped save a precious life that was hanging in the balance.
Led by globally recognised Paediatric Neurosurgeon, Professor Llewellyn Padayachy, a high-stakes brainstem surgery (a complex neurosurgical procedure) was performed on a courageous three-year-old girl diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening tumour at the Pretoria-based hospital.
The toddler’s tumour, located near the brainstem, had been causing issues with her breathing and motor functions, The Citizen reports.
The procedure was particularly groundbreaking as the brainstem remains the territory of highly skilled surgeons who possess the ability to properly select cases where the likelihood of success outweighs the risks of deficits.
The Gauteng Health Department confirmed that the outcome of the complex, five-hour surgery was a success, marking a groundbreaking day in Paediatric Neurosurgery, thanks to Padayachy’s precision, compassion, and innovation.
Prof Padayachy is a Full Clinical Professor and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pretoria, as well as Chief Specialist and Paediatric Neurosurgeon at Steve Biko Academic Hospital.
With every careful incision, Prof Padayachy and his team were not just removing a tumour; they were meticulously restoring a future. They were fighting for the chance for a child to breathe freely, to play without pain, and to live a life full of possibility.
The Health Department commended the surgical team and Padaychy’s continuous dedication to saving lives and exemplifying excellence in public healthcare.
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“His pioneering work continues to shape safer, smarter solutions for our youngest patients. He’s redefining paediatric neurosurgery in South Africa and beyond,” the Department said.
Sources: Various (Linked Above)
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