SIMS Hospital Performs Single-Incision Endoscopic Spine Surgery on 84-Year-Old Patient
Chennai: Orthopaedic surgeons at SIMS Hospital have successfully treated an 84-year-old patient suffering from severe spinal nerve compression using a single-incision endoscopic spine surgery, avoiding the need for conventional open spine surgery.
According to the hospital, the patient had multi-level spinal stenosis and degenerative scoliosis, a condition that had caused severe compression of the lumbar nerves, resulting in debilitating leg pain and an inability to walk.
The minimally invasive uniportal endoscopic spine procedure was performed through an 8 mm incision, relieving the nerve compression and enabling the patient to regain mobility.
Doctors said the surgery was particularly challenging because the patient’s severe degenerative scoliosis had significantly altered the normal alignment of the spine, making access to the compressed nerves more complex.
The patient’s medical history also increased the complexity of the procedure. He had previously undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery and was fitted with a permanent cardiac pacemaker, requiring careful planning and coordination between orthopaedic and cardiac specialists.
The surgery was performed by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. G. Venkatesh Kumar and Dr. Vignesh Jayabalan, Senior Consultants in Orthopaedics, along with a cardiologist.
Speaking about the case, Dr. G. Venkatesh Kumar said the patient had severe functional limitations and could walk only a few steps due to intense leg pain caused by nerve compression. Instead of opting for conventional deformity correction surgery, the team performed a full endoscopic uniportal lumbar stenosis decompression, which successfully relieved the pressure on the nerves. The patient was able to walk without pain shortly after the procedure.
Dr. Vignesh Jayabalan said the advanced endoscopic technique offers several advantages over traditional open spine surgery, including minimal blood loss, reduced muscle damage, less postoperative pain, faster recovery, and preservation of the spine’s normal anatomy while precisely addressing the affected area.
Dr. Vijay C. Bose, Joint Director and Senior Consultant, Department of Orthopaedics, said the case reflects the importance of specialised expertise in orthopaedics. He noted that SIMS Hospital has dedicated sub-specialty units focusing on different orthopaedic disciplines, enabling the management of complex cases such as advanced spine disorders.
Dr. Ravi Pachamuthu, Chairman of SIMS Hospital, said the procedure demonstrates the hospital’s focus on advanced minimally invasive treatments supported by multidisciplinary collaboration. He added that only a limited number of specialists in Chennai currently perform uniportal endoscopic spine surgery, which offers reduced surgical trauma, quicker recovery, and an earlier return to mobility.
The hospital said the successful procedure highlights the growing role of minimally invasive spine surgery in treating complex spinal conditions, particularly among elderly patients with multiple health complications.
