Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre Completes 100 Awake Spine Surgery Cases
Chennai: Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre (SRIHER) has completed 100 cases of awake spine surgery using percutaneous and endoscopic techniques, marking a milestone in its minimally invasive spine surgery programme.
The procedures are performed on selected patients under local or regional anaesthesia, sometimes combined with carefully monitored sedation, reducing the need for general anaesthesia.
Awake spine surgery is used for certain spinal conditions, including herniated discs and nerve compression associated with symptoms such as sciatica. The minimally invasive techniques involve small incisions and specialised instruments to reduce tissue disruption.
Depending on the patient’s condition and the procedure, potential benefits include earlier mobilisation, fewer anaesthesia-related side effects and shorter hospital stays. However, suitability depends on individual medical assessment, and not all patients are candidates for these procedures.
The techniques may also be considered for selected patients with certain heart, lung or metabolic conditions who could benefit from avoiding general anaesthesia, provided the treating team determines that the approach is safe.
The achievement was announced at a press meet attended by Dr. Karthik Kailash, Head of Spine Surgery; Dr. Sudhir Ganesan, Professor of Spine Surgery; Dr. Aruna Parameswari, Head of Anaesthesiology; Dr. K. Balaji Singh, Dean of the Medical College; and Dr. R. B. Sudagar Singh, Medical Director, SRIHER.
Awake spine surgery combines targeted anaesthesia with endoscopic or percutaneous techniques. During selected procedures, doctors may communicate with patients and assess their responses when clinically appropriate, alongside established methods of protecting neurological structures.
