NEIGRIHMS doctors correct severe spinal deformity in teenager

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 11, 2025

In a significant medical achievement, a 16-year-old girl suffering from a severe scoliosis deformity—an abnormal curvature of the spine—underwent a successful corrective spinal surgery at the Department of Orthopaedics, NEIGRIHMS, Shillong.

The complex procedure was performed by a surgical team led by Dr. Sachlang Debbarma (Associate Professor), along with Dr. Tashi G. Khonglah (Additional Professor) and Dr. Penthungo Ezung (Senior Resident), under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Sharat Agarwal and Prof. (Dr.) Bhaskar Borgohain, Head of the Department.

Highlighting strong interdepartmental collaboration, advanced intra-operative neuro-monitoring was employed to ensure precision and prevent spinal cord injury, supervised by Dr. John Lyngdoh from the Department of Physiology. The Department of Anaesthesiology, led by Dr. Rajani Thabah, played a vital role in maintaining patient stability throughout the operation.

A dedicated nursing team, led by Sister-in-Charge Watila Chungmeri, along with OT staff, ensured smooth coordination and care during the surgery. The patient is currently in stable condition and recovering well, with ongoing support from the nursing team and physiotherapy unit.

Dr. Debbarma noted that scoliosis, if left untreated, can result in chronic pain, respiratory complications, and reduced quality of life. He emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention to correct spinal deformities and improve outcomes. Notably, this procedure is among the first of its kind to be performed in a government medical institute in Northeast India.

NEIGRIHMS Director, Prof. (Dr.) Nalin Mehta, lauded the Department of Orthopaedics for this milestone in specialized spine care. He added that such achievements reflect the institute’s growing expertise in managing complex spinal disorders through multidisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge surgical technology.