Challenging surgery for tumor affecting spine performed at Indiana Hospital

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, April 13, 2022: Surgeons from Department of Orthopaedic Oncology and Department of Spine Surgery of Indiana Hospital & Heart Institute, Mangalore successfully performed a highly challenging surgery on a 33-year old male patient who had presented himself with a large soft tissue tumor adherent to his lower spine. This condition required the removal of the tumor along with a major part of 2-3 vertebrae and a small part of his pelvis.  The surgery involving removal of such tumors is generally associated with major risk of temporary or permanent paralysis of the lower limb, spine instability, and at times with inability to completely remove this tumor.

 

The Department of Orthopaedic Oncology led by Dr. Navaneeth S. Kamath and Department of Spine Surgery led by Dr. Hashir Safwan performed a prolonged 14-hour surgery with successful removal of the tumor. The recovery has been uneventful and the patient is now able to function independently during follow-up. The issue with this particular case was difficult surgical access with risks of possible damage to spinal cord, loss of spine stability and massive bleeding.  Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for such types of cancerous tumor and failure to remove the tumor completely can affect survival.

The advent of better imaging modalities, evolution of Orthopaedic superspecialities, extensive pre-operative planning and team work at Indiana Hospital have made such surgeries possible, said Dr. Jalaluddeen, Professor and Head of the Department of Orthopaedics. The team also included Dr. Vinay Kumar (consultant surgical oncologist), Dr. Nikhil MP and Dr. Harish BG (Anaesthesiologists) and Dr. Nikhil Shetty (Consultant Plastic Surgeon).

Congratulating the team for the successful surgery, Dr Yusuf Kumble, managing director and chief interventional cardiologist, Indiana, said, “As in cardiology, Indiana adopts a team approach in such complex orthopedic superspeciality work to tackle complex problems.