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Bangalore: 28 August 2010: BGS Global Hospitals, Bangalore, announced the successful outcome for an aged osteoporosis patient using innovative pinhole spine surgery.
Case summary:
75 years old Akkamma was bedridden for over 3 months owing to spinal fractures. When she came to
BGS Global Hospitals, Bangalore, she had severe back pain; X rays revealed that she had a fracture at
two levels in the spinal column owing to osteoporosis. An open surgery was not advisable considering
her advanced age. A pinhole (sutureless) spine surgery was performed successfully by a team of
doctors: Dr. N. K. Venkataramana, Chief Neurosurgeon, Dr. Arun L Naik, Consultant Neurosurgeon
and Dr. Ravindra Kambli, Interventional Neuro-radiologist at BGS Global Hospitals, Bangalore. The
hospital has the required medical expertise, advanced technology and infrastructure to perform these
procedures.
About spinal bone compression:
Dr. Arun L Naik, Neurosurgeon, BGS Global Hospitals said, “Osteoporosis is the condition seen in old
age wherein the calcium deposit in the bones is depleted causing soft or brittle bone causing bone
fractures. Of these fractures, spinal bone compression fractures are the most common, affecting about
15,00,000 Indians every year. These fractures occur when the bone strength is reduced to the point
that even minor trauma like a fall, sometimes even vigorous sneezing causes the vertebra to crush and
bend. Compression fractures may cause spinal deformity, severe back pain and bed-ridden state as in
Akkamma’s case.”
Innovative Kyphoplasty – pinhole surgery is the answer:
Dr. N. K. Venkataramana, Chief Neurosurgeon and Vice-Chairman, BGS Global Hospitals
added, “Traditional treatment of compression fractures has included bed rest, pain medications,
bracing, and in some cases surgery. Surgical treatment consists of stabilizing spinal fractured bone
with metallic rods and screws. This procedure is invasive and time consuming. As these patients are
always old and fragile, many a time surgery is not possible. Moreover, as the bones are soft, screws
subsequently loosen and pull out causing recurrent fracture. They require a treatment that would allow
immediate pain relief, minimal stress on their health, and allow them to return to a near full level of
activity.
The most recent surgical technique which has emerged is Kyphoplasty as a potential answer to the
problems posed by osteoporotic compression fractures of the spine. There is improvement in pain in
about 90% of patients soon after surgery.”
Kyphoplasty is a medical procedure that attempts to stop the pain caused by the bone fracture and attempts to restore the height and angle of kyphosis [hunchback] of a fractured vertebra (of certain
types), followed by its stabilization using injected bone filler material.
Kyphoplasty, which is a pinhole surgical procedure allows for correction of the collapsed vertebra
and decreases the risk of the patient becoming hunched over. It is a safer choice for patients who are
suffering from osteoporotic compression fractures.
Pinhole surgery details:
Dr. Arun L Naik said, “We performed a pinhole suture-less spine surgery (Kyphoplasty) to straighten the
collapsed vertebra for Akkamma. Through this procedure we are able to totally avoid general anesthesia
and perform the procedure safely under local anesthesia. She was conscious throughout the procedure.
General anesthesia administered to patients at an advanced age could lead cardiac complications, post
operative respiratory complications, etc. Moreover many patients by that age are not fit for general
anaesthesia because of coexisting conditions like diabetes, hypertension and cardiac problems.”
“The procedure performed in the state-of-the-art Cath Lab at BGS Global Hospitals began with a needle
being introduced into the fractured vertebral body. After this, a small tube over the needle is inserted.
Through this tube, a balloon tipped catheter was inserted into the broken vertebra. The balloon was
slowly inflated under X-ray guidance. This caused increase in the vertebral height. More importantly, the
balloon created a space in the bone as it inflated. Bone cement which is of ‘tooth paste’ like consistency
was then injected into this space precisely at low pressure. This substantially reduces the risk of cement
leaking out of the bone because cement is filled only inside the cavity created by the balloon. The bone
cement is in fact harder than bone once it hardens in about ten minutes.”
Post-surgery:
Akkama had a marked improvement in pain and now walks with assistance. She is on active
physiotherapy so that she can overcome weakness in limbs which has developed because of no mobility
for a long period.
“Our strength lies in offering world-class services at an affordable price supported by state-of-the-art-
infrastructure and latest diagnostic equipments. With pinhole spine surgery we now have an innovative
answer for many more patients who could not have gone for traditional methods” according to Tanjai
Kapoor, Senior Vice President Marketing, BGS Global Hospitals.
About BGS Global Hospitals: BGS Global Hospitals is part of the Global Hospitals Group in India that has
total bed strength of over 2000 beds with centers in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. The hospital
is a 500 bedded tertiary care super specialty hospital with state-of-the-art infrastructure, 14 well
equipped Operation Theatres, 120 bedded Intensive Care Units and Level 1 Trauma Centre. |
