Story Published today by Kaieteur Newspaper Chinese Medical Brigade performs successful spinal decompression surgery- Leader of the eleventh Chinese Medical Brigade, Dr. Wang Yong Xiang, recently spearheaded a successful spinal decompression surgery on a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The success of this surgery could see the establishment of a “Spinal Centre” through the collaboration with local non-governmental organisations and the Ministry of Health. The focus would be to treat spinal traumas, dislocations, fractures and other spinal injuries. Dr. Wang, an orthopaedic spinal surgeon, along with a team of local and Chinese doctors, completed a four-hour spinal decompression surgery on 54-year-old Albert Keiler, on October 28, last. According to Dr. Wang, Keiler had developed “paralysis in his legs” which intensified over a nine-year period, owing to a “compression within a section of his spinal column”. Xiang said that the “compression” in Keiler’s spinal column stemmed from a “back injury” he suffered during an accident 30 years ago. The surgeon said that Keiler first experienced paralysis in 2005, some 20 years after the accident. Keiler was reportedly “dancing” at a bar and lost sensitivity in his legs. After the patient’s paraplegic episode in 2005, he underwent cycles of physiotherapy. Dr.Wang explained that it was through those exercises that Keiler’s lower limbs started to function again. He told this newspaper that it was last year that Keiler completely lost his ability to walk since the compression within his spinal column worsened. However, after the surgery last month, Keiler has now regained the use of his lower limbs. Dr.Wang said that he expanded the compressed section of the spinal column and placed “pedicle rods and screws” to keep it in place. He said that this type of surgery is rarely performed locally. Speaking with Kaieteur News yesterday, Keiler said that he can now move his legs after a long time. The patient expressed thanks to the medical team.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 15:40:43 +0000