The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Experts stressed the need for good neurological recovery of patients with unstable spines to prevent complications. Stabilising the spine using implements is very effective for early mobility of the victims.

In Bangladesh, spinal stabilisation for unstable spines is not yet a standardised practices due to lack of various instruments and implants necessary for the surgery, they said.

This was said at the workshop on 'Spinal Surgery' jointly organised by Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BMSSU) and Bangladesh Orthopaedic Society (BOS) at BMSSU yesterday. Prof Mohammad Tahir, Vice Chancellor of BMSSU, was present as chief guest, while Prof Sirajuddin Ahmed, Chairman of Orthopaedic Department of BMSSU, chaired the inaugural session.

Dr Sanjay Dhar, Associate Professor and Head of Unit of Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of TN Medical College of Mumbai in India and Dr Mihir Bapat, Consultant Spine Surgeon of PD Hinduja Hospital of Mumbai, presented two keynote papers.

The speakers urged the government to give more priority to the treatment of spinal problems and to establish spinal surgery as a separate department in all medical colleges in the country. On the findings of physical examination and the patients' ability to return to work or to normal activity, about 80 per cent were considered to have satisfactory outcome at the end of minimum one-year follow-up, the keynote paper said.

In the country's experience with spinal stabilisation, using locally available instruments and implants, compares favourably with the findings of those using modern techniques for spinal stabilisation, speakers said.

As developing country resources are very limited in Bangladesh, nonetheless the results are satisfactory and positive, they added.