PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The spinal surgery team from the Orthopaedics department at Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) Hospital successfully performed a complex and high-risk cervical spine surgery. According to officials, Naresh Rana, a 30-year-old resident of Chinyalisaud in Uttarkashi sustained significant injuries to the back of his neck after falling from a tree while cutting wood. He was taken to the emergency department of GDMC Hospital, where he experienced intense pain and was unable to move his neck.
MRI and CT scans indicated an unstable C2 odontoid fracture, a critical injury to the upper cervical spine that poses a serious risk, as even a minor delay in treatment could lead to paralysis or death, the officials said. Acknowledging the seriousness of the condition, the orthopaedic spine team opted to perform surgery without delay, successfully executing a C2 odontoid anterior fixation. This procedure is a contemporary, minimally invasive spine surgery that stabilises the fracture while maintaining the neck’s natural mobility—enabling rotation to the left and right as well as bending up and down. As a result, the patient was able to stand and resume normal activities, they added. Officials further said that the patient’s recovery progressed swiftly after the surgery. The patient has since been discharged from the hospital, walks independently, engages in daily activities without discomfort and is attending regular follow-up appointments in the OPD for rehabilitation, they added.
Importantly, with this GDMC Hospital is now equipped to carry out even intricate spine surgeries. This advancement will lessen the need for patients in Uttarakhand to travel to distant urban centres, enabling them to receive top-notch care within the State.
