Ethiopian patient with Kyphoscoliosis (Anaconda Spine), treated successfully at SIMS Hospital
Chennai, July 05, 2022: An expert group of surgeons from SIMS Hospital, a leading multispecialty hospital in the city, recently conducted a high-performance surgery to cure a severe case of Kyphoscoliosis. The 15 year old Eth iopian patient – Master Tesfaye Mengesha Mersha was diagnosed with severe Kyphoscoliosis, which in a spine su rgery circle called ‘Anaconda Spine’, a 110 deformity of the upper spine in the chest area. Living with a dream of playing football, the spine deformity severely affected Mersha’s ability to walk coming in the way of his dream. T he surgery was conducted by Dr. K Appaji Krishnan, Senior Consultant Spine Surgeon, Asian Orthopaedic Institute, SIMS Hospital with a panel of doctors & Nursing staff.
Mersha is suffering from Neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition which causes deformity in the spine. Mersha w as a normal boy till 6 years ago, when his pare nts started noticing a deformity in the upper back. The deformity h as progresse d to this severity over time. He was brought to SIMS Hospital in the month of Ma y with a unique co ndition of Kyphoscoliosis- a 110 degrees curve in the spine sh aped like an Anaconda. The curved spine was obs tructing the expansion of the lu ngs and making a back pressure to the heart. Recognising the severity of the co ndition, the team immediately developed a specific treatment protocol. It was de cided to treat Mersha with a halo gravity traction by hanging 13-14kg of weight to the patients head for a continual 4 weeks time period to stretch the Anaconda Spine and straighten the deformity.
Post the treatment, a high-performance surgery was performed in assistance from the well trained Anesthesia team and an in-house Intraoperative Neuro monitoring expert. The procedure was facilitated by a pre-operative model of the spine which was prepared by in-house 3D printing technology.
Commenting on the surgery, Dr. K Appaji Krishnan, Senior Consultant Spine Surgeon, Asian Orthopaedic Inst tute, SIMS Hospital said, “Mersha was diagnosed with this rare condition of severe kyphoscoliosis or Anaconda Spine which had progressed over a period of 6 years. Depending on the severity of the deformity his surgery to straighten the spine was done after careful observation and traction for 4 weeks. The disease which could cause heart and lung failure, was successfully treated and the patient is all better and in a good condition now. We are truly happy to have played a role in making his dream of playing football”.
Adding this, Dr. Raju Sivasamy, Vice President – Medical & Senior Consultant said “I would like to congratulate our team of Doctors for conducting this successful surgery. SIMS has been leading the way in patient care and we are elated to have played an important role in one more young patients’ aspiration. We are overwhelmed with joy to watch Mersha go back to his country and lead a healthy, fulfilling life.”
“I am extremely excited to go back to normalcy and live a better life from now. With this surgery I can work towards ach ieving my dream of playing football. I am grateful to Dr. K Appaji Krishnan and the whole team at SIMS, who helped me through the treatment. I would like to thank Dr. Appaji Krishnan and the highly qualified team at SIMS Hospital for their strength and support during the tough times,” said patient Master Tesfaye Mengesha Mersha.
The Institute of Orthopaedics at SIMS Hospital is also known as AOI (Asian Orthopaedic Institute). It is a centre of international repute for complex Bone and Joint related conditions. The institute is operated by a team of ou tstanding Orthopaedic surgeons in Chennai, who have specialized interest in joint replacement, trauma (fract ure) surgery, sports medicine and arthroscopy treatment and spine surgery.
About SIMS :
SIMS Hospital (SRM Institutes for Medical Science) is one of the leading multi-specialty hospitals in Chennai. Thi s 345-bed hospital offers comprehensive healthcare experience across a wide range of specialties, including mu lti-organ transplant services. The hospital houses 15 modular OTs, 3 state-of-the-art Cath labs (including 1 Bi-pl ane Cath lab), advanced ICUs with Hepa-filters and innovative medical technologies, all under one roof. With the finest combination of experience, expertise, cutting-edge technology and well-coordinated multi-specialty Qua ternary care facilities and patient-centric teamwork; SIMS Hospital Chennai is committed to deliver services of international standards. SIMS Hospital offers holistic health care that includes prevention, prophylactic treatm ent and care, rehabilitation and lifestyle health education and guidance to patients, their families, and clients. At SIMS, every step is aimed at ensuring excellence in patient care. The Institute of Orthopaedics at SIMS Hospi tal is also known as AOI (Asian Orthopaedic Institute) It is a centre of international repute for complex Bone and Jo int related conditions equipped with breakthrough technologies like Navigator, Robotic System and 3D C Arm .
