Orthopedic surgeons at Kalba Hospital, an Emirates Health Services (EHS) facility, have successfully developed a surgical technique to rescue a patient from paralysis following a fall from height resulting in an unstable spinal fracture. This achievement involved creating skin incisions to secure rods through the skin, exemplifying the commitment to staying abreast of medical advancements through the investment in cutting-edge technology and the proficiency of physicians in delivering the highest standards of healthcare and treatment to patients.
Dr. Khaleil Ibrahim Almatrooshi, Acting Director of Kalba Hospital, emphasized that the success of the hospital's orthopedic team in developing an advanced surgical technique for spinal fracture fixation reflects EHS’ commitment to adopting the latest medical and technological advancements in its healthcare facilities. This achievement underscores the hospital's diligent efforts to enhance healthcare quality and provide the highest treatment standards to patients by keeping pace with medical developments and investing in modern technology. Almatrooshi praised the outstanding medical team for their high expertise and skills in orthopedic surgery, which resulted in significant success and marked improvement in the patient's condition.
Upon arrival at the Accidents and Emergency Department after a fall from height, the patient was diagnosed with a spinal fracture. The orthopedic physician's thorough assessment revealed an unstable vertebral fracture that, if left untreated, could lead to paralysis.
Following the medical diagnosis, within 48 hours of the patient's admission to the hospital, the doctors decided to perform a surgical procedure using a modern technique for spinal fracture fixation, a first at Kalba Hospital. This minimally invasive procedure involved creating small skin incisions to secure rods through the skin. The doctors successfully stabilized the fracture by inserting rods and screws with minimal surgical intervention. This approach minimizes muscle damage and requires only small incisions at the affected spinal levels.
Due to the prompt response, necessary examinations, and accurate diagnosis, the patient was able to stand and walk on the second day post-surgery without any complications, leading to a shortened recovery period. This underscores the importance of precision and swiftness in medical procedures and surgical interventions in mitigating various potential risks.