Under local anesthesia..

"Awake Spine Surgery" Technique Ends Suffering of Octogenarian with Spinal Pain at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital in Al-Faihaa, Jeddah

A precise and specialized surgical procedure to dilate severe stenosis of the spinal nerve canal at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital in Al-Faihaa, Jeddah, ended the suffering of an 80-year-old patient, thanks to medical intervention using the "Awake Spine Surgery" technique under local anesthesia with the patient fully conscious. The surgical team was led by Dr. Abdul Hadi Al-Qahtani, consultant in complex spinal surgeries, in collaboration with Dr. Hassan Yassin, consultant anesthesiologist.

Dr. Al-Qahtani said that the patient arrived at the hospital suffering from severe lower back pain accompanied by weakness and numbness in both lower limbs, which significantly affected his ability to walk. After clinical evaluation and necessary tests, severe stenosis of the nerve canal was found, requiring surgical intervention. The operation was performed using the latest advanced surgical techniques and equipment, where the stenosis was dilated and the nerves were released, and it was, thank God, a complete success.

Dr. Al-Qahtani explained that this operation is considered an advanced and specialized procedure, especially as it was performed on an elderly patient who was fully conscious. He added that the awake surgery technique helps reduce many risks associated with general anesthesia, such as breathing difficulties and heart and lung complications, in addition to avoiding throat pain and swallowing difficulties that may occur after general anesthesia.

He pointed out that among the most prominent advantages of this technique is enabling the patient to move, stand, and walk within hours after the operation, which accelerates recovery and reduces the length of hospital stay, and contributes to an early return to daily activities.

The head of the medical team concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the success of this operation reflects the level of development witnessed in spinal surgery and anesthesia services at Al-Faihaa Hospital, and the commitment to employing the latest global technologies to provide advanced and safe healthcare for patients, especially the elderly and those with high-risk conditions.