States » SouthPosted at: Oct 13 2026 5:01PM


SRMC completes 100 cases in Awake Spine surgery, marking important step in minimally invasive spine care

Chennai, Oct 13 (UNI) The Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre (SRMC) today announced that it has achieved a significant milestone by successfully completing 100 cases of Awake Spine Surgery using percutaneous and endoscopic techniques, marking an important step forward in minimally invasive spine care.
The approach, which enables selected patients to undergo spine procedures under local or regional anaesthesia with appropriate sedation, aims to reduce the need for general anaesthesia and support faster recovery, earlier mobilisation and shorter hospital stays.
Dr. Karthik Kailash, HoD, Spine Surgery, Dr. Sudhir Ganesan, Professor, Spine Surgery, Dr. Aruna Parameswari, HoD, Anaesthesiology, Dr. K. Balaji Singh, Dean, Medical College and Dr. R.B. Sudagar Singh, Medical Director, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER) told reporters today.
Advances in minimally invasive spine surgery are creating new options for eligible patients through awake endoscopic and percutaneous spine procedures. Using carefully selected local or regional anesthesia techniques, often combined with mild sedation, these procedures can allow patients to remain conscious and responsive while the surgeon addresses certain spinal conditions.
Patients experiencing persistent back pain, radiating leg pain, or symptoms associated with a slipped disc, significant spinal instability, major spinal deformities, active infection at the operative site, bleeding disorders, or other conditions that increase procedural risk require careful evaluation. Severe obesity and other medical factors may also affect positioning, anesthesia, and surgical feasibility.
Awake endoscopic and percutaneous spine surgery represents an evolving approach to the treatment of selected spinal conditions, including certain herniated discs and cases of nerve compression associated with symptoms such as sciatica, they said.
Unlike conventional procedures performed under general anesthesia, awake spine surgery is designed to minimize the need for general anesthesia in appropriately selected cases. The approach combines targeted anesthesia with minimally invasive surgical techniques, which use small incisions and specialized instruments to access the affected area of the spine.
They said Awake minimally invasive spine surgery offers several advantages, depending on the patient's diagnosis, overall health, and the procedure performed. It was the best option for selected high-risk patients with certain heart, lung, or metabolic conditions may benefit from avoiding general anesthesia when an appropriate alternative is available and deemed safe by the treating team. It offers potentially faster recovery, earlier mobilization, shorter hospital stays and reduced need for pain medication.

During selected procedures, the surgical team may communicate with the patient and assess their responses when clinically appropriate. This can provide additional functional feedback, although it does not replace established surgical techniques and nerve-monitoring methods used to protect neurological structures.
Endoscopic spine surgery uses a small camera and specialized instruments to access the affected spinal region through a limited incision. Percutaneous techniques similarly aim to minimize tissue disruption, potentially reducing surgical trauma compared with more extensive approaches.
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