The mobility of a 50-year-old patient, suffering from lower back pain, has been seriously affected. The pain was only worsening with time and surgery was the only recourse available for her. She would then be able tp resume her daily activities whilst stopping her suffering. The operation has been performed on Saturday 22nd May by a team of surgeons at Wellkin Hospital led by Dr Sammandam Karunagaran. By performing an endoscopic lumbar discectomy, this became a ‘first’ in the medical field for the private hospital. This is great news for patients with herniated discs!
Specialist in orthopedics and spinal surgery, Dr Sammandam Karunagaran of Wellkin Hospital by C-Care maintains that after an MRI, he and his team opted for an endoscopic lumbar discectomy. “This is a minimally invasive spine surgery that has many benefits for patients. We are performing more and more procedures using this innovative technique, ”he said. And he added that until recently, Mauritian patients had to turn to health centers abroad to do so. How does this minimally invasive surgery help? To this, he explains that it significantly shortens the recovery period and it increases the chances of recovery of the patient. “It also helps limit bleeding during the procedure and does not damage soft tissue. In this patient’s case, an incision of only 8 millimeters was required. Especially for inserting the endoscope and removing the hernia while freeing the stuck nerve root and thus eliminating the pain associated with the compression. The operation only lasted an hour and the patient was able to leave the clinic after only two days, ”he said.
Good to know
Dr Sammandam Karunagaran says that more often, they will have pain in the lower back, legs and buttocks and possible numbness and tingling in these parts of the body. It should be noted that this surgery is not the first line treatment for a herniated disc. It is only offered when the patient’s pain is debilitating.
