5 days ago
SQUH pioneers three cutting-edge spine surgery procedures
Muscat- The spine surgery team at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) at the University Medical City (UMC) has successfully implemented three advanced surgical techniques to treat spinal diseases and deformities for the first time in the region. These techniques included the use of a surgical robot, 3D printing, and virtual reality technology during a single operation. This represents a qualitative leap in specialised care services and reflects the University Medical City's commitment to enhancing the quality of healthcare and localizing the latest global medical technologies.
These techniques have been applied in a number of complex surgeries, including scoliosis correction, treatment of nerve canal stenosis, and removal of spinal tumors.
The University Medical City is the first healthcare facility in the region to combine these three technologies in a single procedure, making it a regional leader in specialised spine surgery. Dr. Hamid Al Farai, Consultant Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon, said, 'This achievement represents a qualitative shift in the field of spine surgery in the Sultanate of Oman. The medical team was able to integrate three advanced medical technologies into a single procedure. This has significantly contributed to increasing the accuracy of surgical procedures and reducing the risk and complications, which has a positive impact on treatment outcomes and the speed of patient recovery.'
The three technologies included the use of a surgical robot in spinal surgeries, which is used to guide surgical instruments with extreme precision during operations. This helps reduce errors and achieve safer results, in addition to reducing the duration of the operation and accelerating the patient's recovery.
3D printing technology was also used, enabling the design of accurate anatomical models of the spine and surgical planning. This contributes to improving surgical accuracy and reducing risks, especially in cases of severe and complex deformities such as scoliosis. Virtual reality technology was used to provide a live, accurate cross-sectional image of the surgical area during the procedure, helping to obtain a clearer view and detailed anatomical geometry of the case, which contributed to more precise surgery and reduced complications. This strategic direction of the University Medical City falls within the framework of localizing the latest specialised medical technologies, in line with the health sector objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on building an innovative health system based on quality and reliance on national competencies.
Dr. Suhaim bint Salem Al Sinani, CEO of the University Medical City, emphasized that the implementation of these advanced technologies is an important step toward enhancing patient confidence in government health services and raising the level of specialized care. This is achieved through implementing the government's policy to develop the health sector, localising modern medical technologies, and utilizing them to provide health services in accordance with international standards.
