Health City surgeons remove tumor within her spinal cord

CAYMAN ISLANDS (March 26, 2018) – Neurosurgeons at Health City Cayman Islands have restored a patient’s ability to walk by removing a tumor embedded within her spinal cord in a highly-complicated operation.

The patient, from Myanmar, was working as a bartender on a cruise ship in the Caribbean when she noticed puzzling symptoms that eventually led to a loss of mobility in her arms and legs

Three months after her surgery, Dr. Susheel Wadhwa, the senior neuro and spinal surgeon at Health City, was delighted to hear from former spinal cord tumor patient, May Thu that she was able to walk slowly unassisted. At the time, she was receiving follow-up treatment at a clinic in her home country and was looking forward to returning to her residence.

“She is making a phenomenal recovery from being wheelchair bound to where she is today. Many patients with this condition often end up paralyzed from the neck downwards,” he said.

Dr. Susheel, as he is referred to, recalled diagnosing Thu, with “features of spinal cord compression” where a “tumor inside the spinal cord was compressing all her nerves from within,” causing discomfort, painful incapacitation and loss of mobility.

Deciding to operate, Dr. Susheel, who was assisted by fellow neuro and spinal surgeon Dr. Manjunatha Kandala, knew it was going to be a difficult task because such tumors allowed only a very small margin for error as the spinal cord is very delicate with all nerves packed together and even the slightest injury to any part of the spinal cord could have, what he called, “devastating complications.”

In a long and complex operation the Health City surgery team successfully removed the entire tumor without any damage to the spinal cord, and once removed, stabilized the spine with screws and rods.

Recognizing all of his colleagues, Dr. Susheel noted what was needed for the success of such a complicated operation. “It is only a team that works like all of us do that makes this happen,” he explained.

Before being discharged from the hospital five weeks after the operation, Thu said she was “very glad and very happy” to be able to walk with the aid of a walker.

Thu, 43, said the Health City surgeons spared her from spending the rest of her life in a wheelchair. Furthermore, she had nothing but praise for the way she was treated, before and after the operation, with Health City staff explaining everything to her and constantly checking on her during her recovery.

About Health City Cayman Islands
Health City Cayman Islands, the vision of renowned heart surgeon and humanitarian Dr. Devi Shetty, is supported by Narayana Health, India’s largest private healthcare system. Health City, only the second hospital in the Caribbean to receive the Joint Commission International’s “hospital accreditation”, provides compassionate, high-quality, affordable health-care services in a world-class, comfortable, patient-centered environment. Offering health care to local, regional and international patients, Health City Cayman Islands delivers excellence in adult and pediatric cardiology, cardiac surgery, cardiac electrophysiology, medical oncology, orthopedics, sports medicine, pediatric endocrinology, gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery, neurology, interventional neurology and neuro-diagnostics, neurosurgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, pediatric allergies, gynecology, urology, colorectal surgery, dental, sleep lab and pulmonology services.
For further information, visit www.healthcitycaymanislands.com

Captions:
Photo: May Thu
Caption:
Spinal surgery patient May Thu had surgery at Health City Cayman Islands to remove a tumor that was embedded in her spinal cord.

Photo: Dr Susheel and Dr Manju in surgery
Caption:
Health City Cayman Islands Neuro and Spinal Surgeons Dr. Susheel Wadhwa and Dr. Manjunatha Kandala in surgery.

Photo: May Thu with Drs Susheel and Manju
Caption:
Patient May Thu speaking with Dr Susheel Wadhwa and Dr. Manjunatha Kandala during her recovery at Health City Cayman Islands.

Photo: May Thu Myanar
Caption: May Thu in her home country of Myanmar three months after having spinal surgery at Health City Cayman Islands.