In an extraordinary fusion of medicine and music, Florida guitarist Christian Nolen made headlines worldwide by playing the guitar while undergoing brain surgery.
The procedure took place at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, where surgeons used Nolen’s musical skills to monitor his motor functions as they removed a tumor from his brain.
Nolen’s journey to the operating room began after he took a hit during a live performance, which led to a sudden loss of sensation on the left side of his body.
“I couldn’t lift my left arm above my waist, and my face began to drag,” he recalled.
Medical tests later revealed he had a glioma, a type of brain tumor, located in the right frontal lobe—the area responsible for movement and cognitive abilities.
Given the tumor’s location, Dr. Ricardo Komotar, director of the University of Miami Brain Tumor Initiative, suggested an awake craniotomy, a complex procedure in which a patient remains awake during surgery so doctors can monitor brain functions in real-time.
As surgeons worked, Nolen played some of his favorite rock riffs from bands like Deftones and System of a Down.
“It was just out of this world,” Nolen told WSVN. “Waking up with people actively working inside your head—it’s kind of an insane feeling.”
The approach allowed the medical team to ensure that his dexterity and motor skills remained intact.
The surgery was a success, and Nolen was discharged the next day. Although he is awaiting final pathology results, he is expected to undergo radiation and chemotherapy as part of his follow-up treatment.
Despite the challenges, he is back home and playing guitar once again—a testament to both medical innovation and the power of music.
