Alexandra Hospital's (AH) Motion-preserving and Minimally-invasive Spine Unit is the first themed spine unit dedicated to preserving spinal mobility and function through the least invasive spine procedures/ surgeries whenever possible. As part of its commitment to promote and educate on such interventional techniques, it currently offers interested spine procedurist/ surgeons the opportunity to learn from it's a short-term observer fellowship program.
MMSU's short-term observer fellowship program is designed for spine specialists interested in Disc arthroplasty and Spinal endoscopy.
In the Disc arthroplasty course, participants will learn about the latest evidence regarding disc arthroplasty and key surgical tips and tricks to ensure good outcomes. These learning points will first be covered in an evening session of didactic lectures and interactive discussions. To further reinforce the key concepts taught, course participants will join live surgery the entire next day, during which they are allowed to scrub for a more immersive experience. The course will touch on basic and advanced techniques in cervical and lumbar artificial disc replacement for both prime and expanded indications.
For the course on Spinal endoscopy, participants will undergo a short series of didactic lectures and sharing of cases illustrating the full uses of endoscopy in lumbar spinal surgery. During these sessions, the instructors will share their insights into the different, commonly employed techniques such as the uniportal transforaminal and interlaminar approaches, as well as the biportal approach. This will be complemented by live surgeries that allow participants to witness it's application in a diverse range of spinal pathologies. Surgeries such as endoscopic spinal interbody fusion may also be included.
More information on the program can be found in the fellowship flyer here.
"The visit was exceptional, far beyond exceeding my expectations. The venue, lectures, and OT observations were wonderful. I loved being able to scrub in and actually see the step-by-step procedures up close. What I expected from the visit was a bit of expansion in my ADR indications, and what I got is far more than that. I witnessed an extended level of practice, and once again, I am very sure this will help my understanding of the procedures and provide another wonderful treatment option for my patients."
- Dr Woo-Keun Kwon, University Guro Hospital, Korea
- Dr Rohit Akshay Kavishwar, Ganga Hospital Coimbatore & Sion Hospital Mumbai, India
"Surgical options that preserved native physiology and biomechanics of the spine would often yield good outcomes". This is the philosophy of our spine surgeons and the reason MMSU was established - a themed spine unit that pursues rendering motion-preserving and minimally-invasive spine treatments whenever possible.
Through a modified technique of soft tissue release and balancing, as well as a careful selection and use of disc prostheses, more patients can benefit from artificial disc replacement surgeries. Our surgeons perform >150 spine segments of disc replacement surgeries per year. In addition, MMSU provides a wide range of endoscopic spine procedures ranging from treating common conditions such as prolapsed intervertebral discs and spinal stenosis to complex conditions such as spinal deformities. These procedures/surgeries can be performed safely with immediate symptom relief and the patient returns home on the same day.
