A team of doctors at Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune, successfully conducted a complex spinal surgery on a 19-year-old woman from Yemen who was suffering from severe congenital kyphoscoliosis. The patient, admitted on September 12, 2024, had a spinal deformity which was making her daily life a challenge with debilitating symptoms including severe back pain, difficulty in walking, sitting, and performing basic physiological activities such as urination and defecation. Congenital kyphoscoliosis is due to abnormal defects in vertebral bodies in our backbone by birth. As the patient's age progresses, abnormal spine growth happens, which gives rise to the abnormal curves of our backbone. “This deformity had significantly compressed the spinal cord, resulting in the patient’s hunchbacked appearance and decreased quality of life. If her condition was not addressed timely, it would have progressed to paralysis,” Dr. Rahul Chaudhari, Consultant - Spine Surgeon, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune said. “This was an extremely complex case due to the severity of the spinal deformity. Our primary objective was to realign the spine to maintain its stability and protect the spinal cord from injury. The procedure was precise, as even a minor error could have resulted in permanent paralysis.” While performing the surgery, the team of doctors used advanced intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) and navigation technology to ensure continuous assessment of the spinal cord’s function during the surgery. This allowed for precise correction of the curvature while minimizing the risk of injury. By carefully restructuring the spine, doctors were able to reduce the abnormal curvature in her back and relieve the pressure on the spinal cord that had been compressed by the deformity. “The patient is now recovering well, significantly improving her mobility and overall quality of life.” Anand Mote, Cluster Director, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune said.
