Every year, thousands of patients from Kenya, Congo, Ethiopia, and Nigeria embark on a journey to India for medical treatment that is unavailable or unaffordable for their countries' healthcare systems. This could be attributed to multiple factors ranging from the lack of expert knowledge to the unavailability of advanced technology.
India has successfully carved a niche as a leading medical tourism hub by providing high-quality healthcare services at a cost-effective rate. Developing as a world-renowned healthcare centre, India receives patients from different parts of the world, including many from Africa.
As per the report from the Indian Embassy in Angola, in 2020, Africa contributed 5% of all the medical tourists going to India, which stresses the role played by the continent in India's medical tourism.
India is ranked among the top six destinations for medical tourism, not only for its best medical facilities but also because it is affordable. Medical procedures in India may be as much as 70% cheaper than those in the developed world, like the US.
Due to this cost advantage of India and also the country's impeccable reputation for delivering quality healthcare, it has become the preferred healthcare destination for patients seeking value for money and excellence in treatment.
Along the journey, we shall discover how India's healthcare supremacy is rewriting the chapter of medical tourism and helping the patients of Africa and other parts of the world to have hope and get well.
The cervical laminoplasty procedure is a surgery to restore the neck's functionality and relieve the pressure on the nerves in the spinal cord. The spinal cord is like a highway for messages between the brain and the rest of the body. It can be squeezing that can cause discomfort, weakness or numbness in the arms or the legs.
During cervical laminoplasty, the surgeons create more space in the spinal canal by removing the parts of the bone covering it. Thus, more space is given to the spinal cord, and pressure on it is relieved.
There are various approaches for this treatment and different types of laminoplasty. The most common way is to form a hinge on one side of the bone and then open the other with a small plate or piece of bone. This is helpful since space for the spinal cord is made more roomy.
Sometimes, doctors also do another procedure called foraminotomy during cervical laminoplasty. This, in turn, leads to an enlargement of the spaces where the nerves leave the spinal cord, thus increasing the amount of space that the bulging disc can take up. This is also called Posterior cervical laminoplasty.
Cervical laminoplasty has been a significant advancement in spine surgeries. It improves the lives of not only the people in the country but also others around the globe.
Cervical laminoplasty surgery is usually suggested for people with back printing issues of the spinal cord or nerves who experience neck pain. This phenomenon, otherwise known as compression, may be due to multiple reasons, often resulting in symptoms such as pain, weakness or numbness in arms and legs.
This condition describes a condition in which narrowing the spinal canal compresses the spinal cord and nerves. Cervical laminoplasty helps create more space in the canal of the spinal cord, thus easing pressure and relieving symptoms.
When the sheath-like discs in the neck are protruded or ruptured, they can impinge on the spinal cord or nerve roots, leading to pain and various signs. Cervical laminoplasty provides relief by lowering the pressures exerted on these structures.
Eventually, the intervertebral discs can decay, causing pain and stiffness in the neck. In some instances, such degeneration may cause the spinal cord or nerves to be compressed; hence, cervical laminoplasty may be required for the solution.
Cervical spine accidents or injuries can lead to fracture or dislocation of vertebrae with possible spinal cord compression. Cervical laminoplasty may stabilise the spine and alleviate the pressure on the spinal cord.
Spinal cord tumours or growths in the spinal canal can lead to pain, weakness, and difficulty walking when they compress the spinal cord or nerves. Cervical laminoplasty may be included in the treatment plan as part of the tumour excision aimed at decompressing the spinal cord.
Cervical laminoplasty surgery in India can create magic in some critical conditions. Let’s learn some of the significant benefits of this method:
By widening the spinal canal, cervical laminoplasty relieves the pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, thus causing a reduction of pain, weakness and numbness in the arms and hands.
Unlike other spinal surgeries that involve removing some vertebrae, laminoplasty leaves the spine's structural integrity intact by detaching the "roof" of the spinal canal, the lamina. This assists in the stabilisation of the spine and prevents the occurrence of instability/deformity.
Unlike surgical procedures that involve fusing adjacent ones, cervical laminoplasty usually keeps the normal range of motion of the cervical spine. This allows patients to maintain neck mobility and flexibility, which are essential for regular everyday activities and leading a high-quality life.
Cervical laminoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure in which small incisions are made behind the neck. This process uses a tiny hole, minimising tissue damage and reducing the risk of excessive bleeding or infection.
Compared to more extensive spinal surgeries, such as spinal fusion, cervical laminoplasty generally involves a shorter recovery period. Patients typically spend less time in the hospital and can return to normal activities more quickly, though individual recovery times may vary.
Improved functioning of nerves and reduced compression strength and coordination in arms and hands can be improved, resulting in better functional ability.
During laminoplasty for compressing spinal cord patients, bowel and bladder control may be improved; thus, incontinence and related problems can be reduced.
Cervical laminoplasty has been highly successful in the long term, with most patients having sustained improvement for many years after surgery.
The following steps are followed during the Cervical laminoplasty surgery in India:
■ Anesthesia Administration: The patient is put under general anaesthesia to ensure they are rendered unconscious and painless during the operation.
■ Incision: A small cut in the back of the neck is made, usually in the midline. This offers a route to the cervical spine without disrupting the tissues as much as traditional procedures.
■ Exposure of the Lamina: Using the particular surgical instruments and operating microscope of the surgeon, the lama, the "roof" bony of the spinal canal, is exposed through careful dissection of the surrounding tissues.
■ Bone Cut: The next step involves the creation of a thin slit in the lamina on one side of the spinal canal and a similar one on the other side. This makes a fulcrum on one side while the other remains rigid.
■ Lamina Elevation: The surgeon then lifts the hinged lamina so that the entire spinal canal is opened up, after which the pressure on the nerves and spinal cord is relieved. This step means the introduction of bone struts or metallic plates that help keep the lamina at the desired spot.
■ Closure: The incision is closed with either suturing or surgical staples, and a sterile dressing is applied to promote healing once the desired spinal expansion is achieved.
Cervical laminoplasty surgery in India, like in other parts of the world, involves the use of specific techniques by neurosurgeons to decompress the spinal cord and relieve any symptoms associated with spinal cord compression.
Following the post-surgical care advice offered by medical professionals is a good way for patients to ensure a smooth recovery process with the best possible results after laminoplasty surgery.
Before the surgery, you will have a complete medical checkup by your healthcare provider to examine your general health status and diagnose any underlying medical issues that may interfere with the surgery or recovery phase.
Inform your doctor of all the medications you are currently taking, such as prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs and supplements. Some medications, like blood thinners, would have to be temporarily discontinued before the procedure to decrease the possibility of uncontrolled bleeding.
Notify your doctor of any known allergies to medications, foods, or latex, as this information is crucial for ensuring your safety during the procedure.
Follow any pre-surgery instructions provided by your healthcare provider, including dietary restrictions, fasting guidelines, and specific medication instructions.
On the day of the surgery, remove all the artificial nails or nail polish, do not put on any make-up, and remove any jewellery. Bring fundamental items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dentures if an overnight stay is planned.
Arrange for your transportation to and from the hospital on the day of surgery. Ensure that you book a hotel nearby if you are not from town and will likely spend the night at the hospital.
Build a support group to help you recover after laminoplasty surgery. Plan to have someone with you at the hospital on the day of surgery and to help you with things like daily chores while you are recovering.
■ Hospital Stay: Patients typically stay one to two days after surgery for observation and aftercare. This is when doctors control vital signs, relieve pain, and delve into the first stages of recovery.
■ Discomfort and Limitation: A new patient is expected to feel discomfort, stiffness, and limited motion in her neck and surrounding areas for the first couple weeks after the surgery.
■ Activity Restrictions: In the initial phase of recovery, patients are directed to avoid energetic activities, heavy lifting, and excessive neck rotation. With time and as the recovery progresses, patients can slowly pick up light activities depending on their comfort level.
■ Follow-Up Visits: The surgeon will typically schedule a follow-up session four to six weeks after surgery to survey the state of healing range of motion and resolve any problems or complications. Further follow-up visits can be set up as required during the cervical laminoplasty recovery time.
■ Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy: They can suggest a personalised rehabilitation or physical therapy program depending on the progress of the individual’s recovery and the severity of spinal cord compression to help with recovery, strengthen the neck muscles, and enhance the overall functional outcomes.
Summing up, India’s cervical laminoplasty surgery offers a viable, low-cost option to patients who are looking for relief from spinal cord compression. Advanced medical facilities and experienced surgeons in India, coupled with cost-effective treatments, make the country the preferred choice to ensure quality healthcare. Patients will receive comprehensive treatment, shorter waiting times, and good outcomes, attracting not only those who want fast and cheap treatment but also those looking for the best treatment options.
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