R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MAR 25
In a breathtaking display of medical precision and teamwork, doctors at SRM Global Hospitals have scripted a near-impossible success story—performing a rare dual emergency surgery on a 32-week pregnant woman, saving both mother and child while preventing permanent paralysis.
The team first carried out an emergency Caesarean section, safely delivering the baby, and immediately followed it with a complex spinal decompression surgery—a sequence rarely documented in global medical literature.
- SRM Global Hospitals performs exceptionally rare C-section plus spinal decompression in one critical window
- High-risk pregnancy complicated by obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism and clotting disorder
- Life-threatening Cauda Equina Syndrome diagnosed at 32 weeks, demanding urgent intervention
- Multidisciplinary team executes precision surgery despite anaesthesia and bleeding risks
- Mother regains ability to walk; newborn safe—case hailed as a benchmark in complex care
A race against time
The patient was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome—a severe neurological emergency caused by disc extrusion at the L4-L5 level, compressing critical nerves controlling movement and bladder functions.
Left untreated, the condition could have resulted in irreversible paralysis and lifelong disability.
High-Risk on Every Front
The case was further complicated by multiple co-morbidities:
- Severe obesity (approx. 130 kg)
- Diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism
- Antiphospholipid antibody (APLA) syndrome requiring blood thinners
These factors significantly heightened surgical, anaesthetic, and bleeding risks, making the procedure extraordinarily challenging.
‘Extremely Rare and Complex Case’
Addressing a media conference, Dr Yogesh Kumar, Senior Consultant, Spine Care, SRM Global Hospital, who led the spinal surgery, said: “This was an extremely rare and complex case, involving a 32-week pregnancy along with obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and cauda equina syndrome – all occurring together.”
“The surgical approach itself was highly challenging, as Caesarean sections are performed with the patient on her back, whereas spinal surgeries require a face-down position. Carefully repositioning a patient immediately after a C-section is a delicate and high-risk process.”
“There was an increased risk of non-stop bleeding, as the patient was on blood-thinning medication. Managing this risk across two surgical sites simultaneously required meticulous anaesthetic planning and monitoring.”
“Despite these challenges, the surgery was successful, thanks to the coordination of multiple specialties.”
Dr Swaminathan Veerasamy, Clinical Superintendent, SRM Global Hospital said that this was possible only because of the world-class infrastructure and the multi-specialty team available round the clock at the hospital.
Teamwork That Made the Impossible Possible
Highlighting the collaborative effort, Dr P Sathyanarayanan, President, SRM Group in a statement said: “This was truly a team effort. The gynaecologist led the pregnancy care and made the critical decision to proceed with the Caesarean section. The spine surgeon performed the emergency procedure to relieve pressure on the nerves.”
“The haematologist carefully managed blood thinners due to her clotting condition. The anaesthetist handled a very difficult airway and ensured safe anaesthesia throughout. The paediatric intensivist cared for the baby in the NICU.”
“Without seamless coordination among all these specialists, this outcome would not have been possible.”
A medical milestone
Post-surgery, the mother has regained her ability to walk, while the newborn remains stable under specialised care—turning a high-risk crisis into a story of survival and hope.
This case stands as a remarkable benchmark in multidisciplinary emergency care, showcasing how timely intervention, precision planning, and teamwork can rewrite outcomes even in the most critical scenarios.
The surgery was led by Dr. Yogesh, Senior Consultant, Spine Care, and supported by Dr. R.K. Vidhyalakshmi, Senior Consultant, Obstetrician and gynaecology, Dr. D. Abinaya, Consultant, Clinical Haematology, Dr. Ashok C, Senior Consultant, Neonatology and Dr. Shanmitha R, Consultant, Anaesthesiology, SRM Global Hospitals.
