
A long-time musician undergoing brain surgery two years ago reportedly played his trombone during the procedure—and it helped the doctors with a successful operation.
New reports of a medical procedure conducted on patient Brian Rust in 2022 reveal that he held his beloved instrument while undergoing open brain surgery at the University of Wisconsin Health hospital. His actions not only did not interfere with the procedure but actually helped surgeons accomplish their goal.
Rust was looking for help controlling tremors that interfered with his daily life, from preventing him from playing his trombone to holding his grandchild. According to local media reports, his diagnosis of intention tremors was ultimately ineffectively treated with therapies and medications.
As a last resort, the musician opted for deep brain stimulation. This procedure involves the implantation of electrodes into the brain in an effort to control the irregular nerve signals which cause the tremors. Dr. Wendell Lake was the lead surgeon in the operating room, who pointed out that the patient had to be awake during the procedure to make sure that the electrodes were properly inserted.
Rust reportedly came up with the idea of using his trombone to assist in keeping track of the motion in his hands. He did not blow through the instrument during the operation but instead held it and moved his fingers as if he were. Dr. Whitney Fallahian, the anesthesiologist for the procedure, noted that she never expected to “see anything like that” in the operating room.
The musician’s hands became more and more steady as he pretended to play and the surgeons made adjustments to the electrodes, indicating a successful operation. The stimulator in his brain is controlled via a device doctors placed in his chest, which gives him the ability to switch between modes that allow him to play his instrument and effectively function in daily life.
He expressed that “there are options” for others suffering similar ailments to “keep enjoying” their lives and hobbies. Rust added that he was not willing to “give up” the satisfaction of “playing with other people and making music,” indicating his determination to find a solution to his ailment.