First ever vertebral body stenting on 65-yr woman performed by KIMS, Kondapur

HYDERABAD: In a groundbreaking medical achievement, KIMS Hospital in Kondapur witnessed the first-ever successful vertebral body stenting procedure on a 65-year-old woman who suffered a fall at her home. The advanced technique, performed by renowned spinal surgeon Dr Krishna Chaitanya, has been hailed as a game-changer for elders who endure osteoporotic fractures due to falls.

The patient, who remained unaware of her condition after the fall, was admitted to KIMS Hospital for evaluation. Dr Krishna Chaitanya identified a fracture in her L2 vertebral bone and recommended the innovative vertebral body stenting procedure to ensure a swift and optimal recovery.

The highly advanced technique, similar to the use of cardiac stents, proved to be a boon for curing osteoporotic fractures rapidly and effectively. The minimally invasive procedure involves employing a metal stent to stabilise the fractured bone, offering elderly patients a faster and smoother recovery process.

Sharing insights on the patient's condition and the procedure, Dr Krishna Chaitanya, consultant spine surgeon at KIMS Hospital, said, "Given her fragile health condition, it was deemed unsafe to perform traditional surgery under anesthesia. Instead, we decided to proceed with the procedure under sedation, significantly reducing the risk. The stent we used matched 80% of the bone height, and it effectively fixed the vertebral bone, allowing the patient to experience a remarkable turnaround within hours of the operation."

The vertebral body stenting procedure is specifically designed for elderly individuals with osteoporotic fractures and minor bone damage. The stent, supplied by Johnson & Johnson Company, offers various size options to cater to the length of the patient's vertebral bone.

Explaining the advantages of this innovative technique, Dr Chaitanya elaborated, "The entire procedure takes only 20 minutes and is virtually bloodless, unlike traditional surgeries that lasted for several hours with substantial blood loss. Previously, screws were used to reduce fractures, leading to prolonged recovery periods. However, vertebral body stenting employs a small needle to insert the stent, which spreads across the bone and restores it to its original position. The stent ensures the bone regains its previous height, resulting in a painless recovery, and the patient can even start walking within a few hours post-operation."

Dr. Krishna Chaitanya's expertise in this revolutionary procedure has been recognized internationally, as he was invited as a faculty member from India to the World Osteoporotic Forum in Japan in January. The forum provided a platform to learn, share knowledge, and train other medical professionals in this cutting-edge technique. With advancements like vertebral body stenting, complex surgeries can be effectively managed, greatly improving patient outcomes and overall recovery.