MARDAN: The first-ever full endoscopic spine surgery was successfully conducted at neurosurgery department of Mardan Medical Complex (MMC), marking the initiation of the latest technology at the health facility, the relevant officials said here on Thursday.

They said that a team of neurosurgeons undertook the first endoscopic spine surgery at main operation theatre of the hospital. The team included a German neurosurgeon Dr Ali Guven Yorukoglu, Dr Mumtaz Ali, Dr Naeemul Haq, Dr Mohammad Ishaq and others.

Later talking to reporters, Dr Mumtaz Ali said that spine endoscopic surgery was an advanced procedure and exercised in developed countries. He said that introduction of full endoscopic spine surgery in MMC was a big achievement.

Dr Mumtaz said that minimal invasive spine procedures had undergone rapid development during the last decade. He said that a major spine surgery could be conducted through a small invasive. He added that the patients undergoing surgery through that advanced procedures would have less post-surgery stay and high chances of successful procedure.

Dr Naeemul Haq said that neurosurgery department of MMC was committed to introducing latest surgical equipment and practices in the hospital. He said that starting of full endoscopic spine surgery was the latest example of switching to modern healthcare practices in the hospital.

He said that experts in the field of neurosurgery were invited to mark the beginning of spine surgery through endoscopy. He said that patients suffering from spine complication would benefit from the facility.

Dr Naeem said that patients had to go to private hospitals or other provinces to undergo endoscopic spine surgery. “Now they don’t need to pay the hefty fees of private hospitals or go to other provinces as the latest technology is available in MMC,” he added.

He said that the procedure would benefit patients as there would be chances of less post-surgery stay, less tissue trauma and less blood loss.

Dr Mohammad Ishaq said that all kinds of spine complications could be treated through that procedure including selective cases of sciatica. He said that only recommended patients would undergo full endoscopic surgery.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2021