Wockhardt Spine Centre has today introduced, Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD) - a wake state minimally invasive slipped disc surgery.

"Introduced for the first time in Mumbai, the distinctive features of PELD includes safety, minimal stay at the hospital, minimal pain, less operating time and affordability in comparison to the conventional surgery," said Dr. Ravindra Karanjekar, general manager, Wockhardt. The total cost involved in the surgery is about Rs. 30,000-35,000.

Speaking at a conference as part of the launch, Dr. Vikas Gupte, Spine Surgeon, Wockhardt Spine Centre, Mumbai, said, "Today back ache affects almost 60% of the population, the commonest cause of which is 'prolapsed intervertebral disc,' commonly known as 'slipped disc.' It is a painful condition requiring, hospitalisation for an average of 5-7days, loss of work/earning etc. These are among many reasons why patients avoid surgery and suffer from pain and eventual disability".

Gupte further elaborated that long incisions and injury to normal structures in conventional surgery result in increased blood loss, increased scar tissue formation, increased chance of neural injury, epidural scarring and denervation of paraspinal muscles. The PELD under local anaesthesia is the one that makes the patient to get discharge in 24 hours. The surgery is done under local anaesthesia with conscious sedation. It involves 6mm skin incision, targeted fragmentectomy, no muscle, ligament or normal tissue damage, no blood loss, wound is closed with single stich, patient gets immediate pain relief and requires no prolonged bed rest after surgery. The procedure takes about 20 minutes on an average.

This innovative form of minimally invasive surgery will be performed at Wockhardt Hospitals, on 11th January 2006 and will be witnessed by more than 100 doctors across the city.

"Wockhardt hospitals have played a leading role in expanding the horizons in advancements of various super specialties, not only with focus to make these advancements more patient friendly but also more affordable. Dr. Vikas has set a new benchmark for the patients who require spine surgery," added Dr. Karanjekar.

Wockhardt Spine Centre has organised a special Spine week from 16th- 21st January 2006 at their Spine facility in Mulund. "All one needs to do is call 55994549 and avail the benefits of this innovation," said Suhas Aradhye, head, marketing, Wockhardt Hospitals.