SHILLONG, SEPT 3: NEIGRIHMS, Shillong has achieved a milestone in advanced spine care by successfully performing a Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic (UBE) discectomy — the first such procedure in a government hospital in Northeast India.

The minimally invasive keyhole surgery was performed on a patient from Assam suffering from lumbar disc prolapse with nerve compression.

According to the institute, UBE technique uses small incisions and an endoscope to provide magnified visualization of spinal structures, unlike open surgery that involves larger cuts and muscle disruption. The benefits include smaller scars, less pain, reduced muscle injury and early mobilization.

Director Prof Nalin Mehta said the introduction of UBE at NEIGRIHMS marks a significant step in bringing modern minimally invasive spine surgery to the public sector in the Northeast, allowing patients to avail advanced care closer to home.

The surgery was led by Dr Sachlang Debbarma of the Orthopaedics Department with support from Dr Dinendra Chirom, Dr Shanborlang, Dr Ajoy Baishya, Anaesthesiologist Dr Dasara Nongbet and Nursing Officer Watila Chungmuro, under the guidance of HoD Prof Bhaskar Borgohain, Prof Sharat Agarwal and Dr Tashi G Khonglah.