Complex Surgery Corrects Spinal Deformity After Failed Procedure Abroad


A neurosurgical team at Alkafeel Hospital in Karbala has successfully treated a young woman suffering from a severe spinal deformity. The patient had previously undergone an unsuccessful spinal surgery abroad, which not only failed to correct her condition but also worsened it.

Dr. Wael Qasim, a spinal surgery specialist, stated:
"A 36-year-old patient visited us with a severe spinal curvature. She had traveled abroad for surgery, expecting a correction, but unfortunately, the procedure had severe flaws. Although screws were implanted, the alignment was incorrect, and the wrong vertebrae were selected for adjustment. Additionally, no bone grafts were placed to support the screws, leading to a failed surgery within three months. The lower screws had loosened, the middle ones were mispositioned, and the curvature worsened, causing her back to assume a stooped posture while standing and walking."

Dr. Qasim explained the corrective procedure:
"We successfully performed a revision surgery to correct the previous mistakes. The procedure involved replacing the damaged discs through a small incision in the flank area, followed by realigning the screws and placing bone grafts to ensure proper stabilization. The patient is expected to regain mobility the very next day after surgery."

He emphasized:
"Revision surgeries are often more complex than the initial procedure. Ideally, the spinal correction could have been achieved minimally invasively using endoscopic techniques, avoiding the need for large surgical incisions."