A specialized neurosurgery team at Alkafeel Hospital has successfully saved a 15-year-old patient from Basra who suffered from sudden paralysis in all four limbs due to a hematoma in the cervical spine.
Dr. Khalid Al-Sarraj explained that the patient initially underwent surgery in another hospital, but his condition did not improve, and within a week he developed complete paralysis. Upon admission to Alkafeel Hospital, comprehensive examinations, including MRI scans, revealed a hematoma at the fifth cervical vertebra, extending from the vertebral body to its posterior elements, causing severe spinal cord compression and extensive damage.
Dr. Al-Sarraj added that the surgical team performed a two-stage operation on the same day. The first stage involved decompression of the spinal cord, complete removal of the hematoma from the posterior aspect, and spinal stabilization. In the second stage, the hematoma was fully removed from the anterior side of the vertebra, followed by implantation of an artificial vertebra and anterior cervical fixation.
He confirmed that the procedure was highly successful, as the patient regained movement in all four limbs immediately after surgery. Dr. Al-Sarraj emphasized that this achievement was made possible thanks to the advanced surgical capabilities and technologies available at Alkafeel Hospital, which enabled the team to control bleeding and manage this critical case effectively.