Bangalore-based BGS Global Hospitals has successfully adopted the pinhole spine surgery for an aged osteoporosis patient. The suture-less spine surgery was performed successfully by a team of doctors led by Dr NK Venkataramana, chief neurosurgeon with Dr. Arun L Naik, consultant neurosurgeon and Dr. Ravindra Kambli, interventional neuro-radiologist.

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. It helps to stop the pain caused by the bone fracture and restore the height and angle of kyphosis or hunchback of a fractured vertebra.

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. The key advantages of the procedure are pinhole incision with little blood loss, fast recovery, less post-operative pain, minimal hospital stay and patient starts walking soon after surgery thereby preventing other complications associated with prolonged bed rest like clot formation in the legs, bed sores and further osteoporosis.

75 years old Akkamma was bedridden for over 3 months owing to spinal fractures. The 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.

According to Dr Arun L Naik, 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.

The innovative kyphoplasty or pinhole surgery is the answer. It is the latest surgical technique which is the answer to the problems posed by osteoporotic compression fractures of the spine. There is improvement in pain about 90 per cent of patients soon after surgery, stated Dr NK Venkataramana.