Kauvery Hospital Alwarpet Introduces Endoscopic Spinal Fusion in Chennai
Chennai: Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, has introduced endoscopic spinal fusion surgery in Chennai for selected patients with degenerative lumbar conditions, nerve compression and certain complex or revision spine cases.
The procedure is performed through a working channel and high-definition camera inserted through an incision of approximately 8 mm. The technique allows surgeons to decompress affected nerves, prepare the disc space and place an interbody implant with fixation under continuous visualisation.
Compared with traditional open spine surgery, which involves larger incisions and extensive muscle dissection, and standard minimally invasive surgery, which may involve an incision of around 20 mm, the endoscopic approach is designed to reduce tissue damage and blood loss while potentially enabling earlier walking, reduced postoperative pain and a shorter hospital stay.
Cases Suitable for the Procedure
According to Kauvery Hospital, the procedure may be considered for selected patients with:
- Degenerative lumbar disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Selected cases of low-grade spinal instability
- Persistent nerve-root compression causing leg pain despite adequate conservative treatment
- Revision or redo spine surgery involving scar tissue from previous open procedures
- Selected elderly patients for whom a long open fusion may present a greater surgical burden
Dr Keerthivasan P, Senior Consultant Spine and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Kauvery Hospital Alwarpet, said that endoscopic procedures are also used for disc herniation and nerve compression and, in certain cases, may help avoid extensive fusion by preserving the spine’s natural stability.
He added that suitability is determined through clinical evaluation, imaging and assessment of the patient’s overall health. High-grade slips, certain complex deformities and cases requiring extensive open reconstruction may still require conventional surgery.
Revision Spine Surgery Among Applications
In a recent case, a 56-year-old woman who had previously undergone L4–L5 open spine surgery subsequently developed problems at the L3–L4 and L4–L5 levels. The medical team used an endoscopic approach to avoid operating through the scarred tissue. Blood loss was reported to be less than 50 ml, while the patient walked within two hours and was discharged within two days.
In another case, an elderly patient with severe leg pain caused by a disc problem underwent endoscopic treatment, avoiding a major open procedure that would have required long-segment fusion. The patient recovered quickly and returned to normal activities sooner than expected.
Dr Balamurali, Head of Department – Spine and Neurosurgery, Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, Chennai, said the procedure expands the hospital’s treatment options for spine conditions, particularly complex and revision cases. He noted that patient selection, planning and multidisciplinary coordination remain important factors in determining outcomes.
Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Kauvery Hospitals, said the hospital’s focus is on combining clinical expertise with technology to provide effective treatment while reducing the overall burden of surgery.
The hospital said endoscopic fusion is not suitable for every patient, and treatment decisions are based on individual clinical assessment and imaging.
