U.S. Army Surgeon Jagatkumar Patel Removes Golf‑Ball Tumor via Endoscopic Nasal Approach

Indian‑American U.S. Army Major Jagatkumar Patel, an anterior skull‑base surgeon, together with Army Lt. Col. Charles Miller, performed a minimally invasive endoscopic surgery that removed a 4.4 cm benign tumor located at the base of the skull of Marine Staff Sergeant Andy Archer. The procedure accessed the tumor through the patient’s nasal passages, avoiding an open skull operation, and was conducted at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda.

Patel used a high‑definition endoscopic camera to navigate the complex nasal anatomy and provide precise visualisation, allowing Miller to dissect and extract more than 99 % of the mass. The remaining microscopic fragment was left in place to avoid risking vision loss. Two days after surgery, Archer showed no external signs of major brain surgery and his vision was already improving. The Pentagon noted the team’s collaboration as unique within the Defense Health Agency, highlighting the potential of the nasal approach for suitable skull‑base tumors.