By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 2: Making significant strides in spine care, the Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma at NEIGRIHMS has successfully performed two endoscopic lumbar spine discectomies using the Destandau technique thereby becoming the first public sector hospital in the Northeastern region to conduct this cutting-edge, minimally invasive spinal procedure. The surgery aims to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves caused by the herniated or prolapsed disc at spine, which can result in pain, numbness, or weakness in the back and legs.
Two adult patients, from Tripura and Mizoram, both diagnosed with severe symptomatic lumbar disc prolapse causing incapacitating sciatica — severe pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve which runs from the lower back down to each leg — were given the benefit of this technique. The first case was operated upon by Sachlang Debbarma, Associate Professor, assisted by Tashi Khonglah and Chirag Sharma. The second case was operated by Prof Bhaskar Borgohain, Head of Orthopaedics, assisted by Dr Naveen AS. Both the patients are recovering well under dedicated nursing and physiotherapy care and are soon expected to return to normal daily activities.
NEIGRIHMS Director Prof Nalin Mehta lauded the team for milestone surgery and growing commitment towards surgical innovation, academic learning and skill-based orthopaedic excellence. Prof Mehta further added that this achievement marks the beginning of a new era in minimally invasive spine surgery at NEIGRIHMS.
Routine availability of minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery with keyhole approach will reduce both cost of treatment and duration of hospital stay due to potential for early recovery after endoscopic surgery.