Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai, uses 3D navigational jig to provide new lease of life to Sri L

• The first time a 3D jig was used for a spine surgery in India 

 Gleneagles Global Hospitals, the largest facility of Gleneagles Global Hospitals, a Parkway Pantai enterprise, successfully performed a rare spine surgery on a three year old girl from Sri Lanka. 

Being one of the most renowned centres of its field, the specialists from the Institute of Advanced Spine Science, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai performed this rare surgery with the assistance of Anna University, a well renowned university in India. The surgery was performed by Dr. S. Karunakaran, Director, Institute of Advances Spine Science, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai.

Kumari (name changed) a three year old hailing from Sri Lanka was unfortunately born with a bend in the spine which was rapidly increasing over the course of three years. This deformity in the spinal region made her life complex. Kumari’s parents felt helpless as they were unable to find the right treatment in Sri Lanka. It was during this period of helplessness that the family heard about Institute of Advanced Spine Science, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai and the constant top notch work done at the hospital. Without wasting any further time, the family decided to visit Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai at once.

Tests at the Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai revealed that Kumari had defective formation of vertebrae that had led to the severe scoliosis. If not corrected, this condition could compromise lung development, lead to compression of the spinal cord and even result in paralysis in the future. Correction of this deformity and screw placement is less demanding in a grown up child. Given the severity of the situation, waiting till the growth spurt ends was not an option as the deformity only becomes more complex. Kumari was scheduled for deformity correction but with this came a series of challenges.  Accurate placement of screws in the immature spine of a three year old was a big challenge.  

This is when the doctors at the Institute of Advanced Spine Surgery, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai decided to use a technique used aboard – the use of 3d printed navigational jig. 3d printing was used to make the spine as well as the navigational drill jig for pedicle screw placement. The process of preparing the 3d jig is a fairly simple one. The first step is taking a CT scan of the area where the problem is. The CT scan is then sent to the engineering department where they use special software called MIMICS to acquire 3d data. The data is then used for segregation of each vertebra which helps in virtual planning of screw placement. 

This virtual planning is then verified by the doctors who make sure everything is accurate and in place. Post the approval from the doctors the 3d data is sent for printing and a 3d jig is prepared. The jig is printed using a bio compatible plastic. Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai in collaboration with Anna University, a well renowned university in the city were able to prepare the jig without wasting any time. 

Dr. S. Karunakaran, Director, Institute of Advances Spine Science, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai  said, “The 3d jig has many benefits, the most important one being that the doctors are able to practice on the jig before going ahead with the actual surgery. This allowed the doctors to anticipate the problems that might arise and were able to prepare accordingly. It also gives the doctors a 360 degree view of the spine as well as the deformation. Apart from that, with the help of the jig the doctors can also explain to the family of the patients as to what is being done. This is the first time in India that such a technique was used in the case of spine.”

Post the surgery Kumari is perfectly fine and is slowly but surely making a full recovery. She can now look forward to a normal life which can include a lot of playing and running around. As Kumari grows she will require periodical lengthening as well. This is just another example of how Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai are willing to go above and beyond to help better lives and bring back the smiles on the faces of their patients and their families.