At the Institute of Spine and Neurosurgery at Gleneagles Hospitals, consultants are trained to treat people with Brain, Spine and Nervous System (Neurologic) conditions. Spine and Neurosurgery is a special medical branch that is solely concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recuperation of conditions which affect any portion of the nervous system such as the Brain, Spinal Cord, Peripheral Nerves and Extra-cranial Cerebrovascular System. 

The department performs over 1,000 procedures each year. We have a dedicated team of surgeons who have undergone training from top-class faculty of reputed institutions. With an established and well-equipped lab, with the latest technological equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of patients, we aim to provide the best care in India. 

The Spine and Neurosurgery division is equipped with dedicated state-of-the-art operating rooms with good infrastructure, exclusive intensive surgical wards and have established rehabilitation centre for post-operative patient care. Every test and procedure performed is well organised and the results are accurate; it is the togetherness of the team that brings out great results.

• By providing excellent clinical and compassionate care, we protect the health and well-being of our patients to help them lead healthy lives.

PROCEDURES 

ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY AND FUSION (ACDF) 

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure to remove the degenerative disc in the neck area of the spine. It is also used to treat serious pain from a nerve root that has become inflamed. The treatment is performed by decompressing the spinal cord and nerve roots. ACDF procedure is used when other non-surgical treatments have failed. 

The patient is asked to change into a hospital gown. The surgeon makes an incision in the throat area to reach the front of the spine. A graft is inserted by removing the disc. The graft is inserted to fuse the bones present above and below the disc. The doctor recommends this surgery when the physical therapy and medications fail to relieve the pain in the neck or arm. Patients are sent home the same day. It may take 3-4 weeks for the person to recover completely. 

LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY 

Lumbar Laminectomy is a surgical procedure of the back to relieve the compression of the spinal cord. The doctor removes the lamina which adds pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. The lamina is part of the bone that forms the vertebral arch in the spine. Added pressure on the spinal cord causes mild to severe back pain, difficulty in walking, weakness or numbness in the legs and also causes difficulty controlling the bladder or bowel movements. 

The patient will be asked to lie down on the abdomen, in a kneeling position to reduce the weight of the abdomen on the spine. The surgeon will make a straight incision from the desired vertebrae to the lamina which is present down. He then removes the lamina and sets the nerve root back toward the centre of your spinal column. He also removes the disc. The surgery takes about 2-3 hours to complete.  

CRANIOTOMY 

A craniotomy is the surgical removal of a section of the skull to access the intracranial compartment. It is commonly performed to remove the brain tumour. It is also performed to remove a blood clot (hematoma), control haemorrhage, repair arteriovenous malformations (abnormal connections of blood vessels), relieve pressure inside the skull, drain a brain abscess, perform a biopsy, or inspect the brain. 

The surgeon makes an incision either around the occipital bone at the nape of the neck or a curved incision above the ear and eye. Once the incision is made on the skin, muscles and tissues of the scalp are folded back and the skull is exposed. Small holes are drilled into the skull. The bone flap is then removed to expose the brain tissues for the surgeon to perform the surgery. After the surgery, the bone flap is put back in place. The incision is finally covered with a bandage. It takes about 4-6 hours to complete the surgery. 

CHIARI DECOMPRESSION 

Chiari decompression is used to treat Arnold-Chiari malformation. This condition produces an inability to properly balance. Chiari decompression involves removing a bone in the back of the skull to widen the foramen magnum. This, in many cases, helps improve balance and coordination. 

LUMBAR PUNCTURE

A lumbar puncture, which is also called a spinal tap, is one of the simpler (yet still relatively complex) neurosurgery procedures. It is a diagnostic procedure that is performed to determine if the patient has signs of any conditions related to the central nervous system. It is overall a safe surgery when performed by an experienced neurologist, and the risks are minimal. 

EPILEPSY NEUROSURGERY

Epilepsy neurosurgery is for individuals with epilepsy. Specifically, this procedure is for those who have severe epileptic seizures and have not found relief through non-surgical treatments. Most often, neurologists recommend medications to deal with epilepsy and related seizures. If this does not work, however, epilepsy neurosurgery may be needed, which involves removing or modifying the part of the brain that is producing severe and potentially fatal seizures 

SCOLIOSIS SURGERY 

Scoliosis is the abnormal curvature of the Spine. Scoliosis surgery involves correcting the deformed curvature of the Spine. With the advanced tools and technology, the surgeons at Gleneagles Hospitals can improve their curves significantly. The procedure involves spinal fusion where the curved Vertebrae are realigned and fused into a single and solid bone. 

The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. During the procedure, the incision is made in the back of the pine. Then the muscles are stripped off to access the bone elements of the Spine. Metal screws and rods are used to reduce the amount of curvature. Bone grafts are used to incite the reaction where the bones in the Spine fuse together. 

KYPHOPLASTY 

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure indicated in patients with Kyphosis. Kyphosis is an outward curvature of the Spine and for the treatment of fractured Vertebrae. The procedure involves injecting special cement into the Vertebrae by creating a space with a balloon-like device. 

Local or general anaesthesia is administered before the procedure. In kyphoplasty, a needle is inserted into the affected bone through the skin with X-ray guidance. Then, a balloon-like device is inflated allowing the Vertebrae to regain its normal shape. The space created is filled by injecting special cement.