Patna: AIIMS Patna has secured an official entry in the Limca Book of Records after successfully removing an 8 cm herniated disc in a single piece through advanced endoscopic spine surgery.
The procedure was performed by Dr Saraj Kumar Singh, Additional Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, AIIMS Patna. The institute said the achievement makes it the first in India to receive this distinction for such a procedure.
Patient Recovered After Minimally Invasive Procedure
The patient, an Inspector with the Bihar Police, was admitted after developing sudden weakness in both lower limbs and difficulty urinating.
Investigations showed severe compression of the spinal nerves caused by a large herniated disc. Doctors performed the surgery through an incision of about 1.5–2 cm.
Using a specialised endoscope, the surgical team separated the muscles and drilled a small portion of bone to access the affected area. The compressed nerves and disc fragment were identified under direct endoscopic vision.
The surgeons preserved the nerves and removed the entire disc fragment in a single piece, relieving pressure on the spinal nerves.
The procedure involved minimal blood loss and less tissue damage compared with conventional open spine surgery, according to AIIMS Patna.
The patient began showing improvement within two days and achieved complete recovery in about a month, including restoration of bowel and bladder control.
Advanced Endoscopic Technique
Dr Saraj Kumar Singh said endoscopic spine surgery allows surgeons to access the spinal canal through a small incision while preserving surrounding muscles and tissues.
The technique can result in less blood loss, reduced postoperative pain and faster recovery compared with conventional open surgery, he said.
AIIMS Patna said its Department of Neurosurgery currently performs all four major types of endoscopic spine surgery, making minimally invasive spinal procedures available to a wider group of patients.
Series Of Surgical Records
The latest recognition adds to several surgical milestones previously achieved by Dr Singh at AIIMS Patna.
These include a world record for the removal of a 2.280 kg brain tumour and national records for the removal of the longest foreign body from the spine, the largest skull bone tumour, the largest eye tumour and the largest ear tumour.
AIIMS Patna said records undergo a formal verification and registration process, which can take one to two years or longer after a procedure is completed.
Shorter Hospital Stay
The institute said one of the key advantages of endoscopic spine surgery is a shorter hospital stay.
While conventional open spine surgery may require seven to eight days of hospitalisation, suitable patients undergoing endoscopic procedures at AIIMS Patna can often be discharged in about a day, depending on their clinical condition.
Prof (Brig) Dr Raju Agarwal, Executive Director of AIIMS Patna, said the latest recognition strengthens the institute’s position in advanced endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery.
He said the development would help patients from Bihar and neighbouring states access specialised spinal care closer to home.
AIIMS Patna said the achievement reflects its efforts to expand the use of advanced technology and minimally invasive techniques in neurosurgical care and strengthen its role as a referral centre for complex neurological and spinal disorders in eastern India.
