Chennai: A team of spine surgeons and pain specialists of Apollo Cancer Centre (ACC)in Chennai recently performed India’s first Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) stimulation surgery using a spinal cord stimulator on a 30-year-old patient from Oman who was suffering from chronic pain in his groin and upper thigh as a result of nerve damage during surgery for a testicular tumor. This condition known as genitofemoral neuralgia had persisted over two years despite standard treatments.
Chronic pain is among the millions of patients globally whose management becomes a real challenge after surgical damage to nerves. In this case, for instance, the technique of DRG stimulation aimed at stimulating a damaged nerve to break the transmission of signals that cause pain. This procedure underscores the potential of advanced modalities in pain treatment.
According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, chronic pain affects up to 20 per cent of the global population. In India, chronic pain affects around 19 per cent of adults, significantly impacting their quality of life and productivity.
To alleviate the pain, the spine surgery and pain specialists’ team at ACC, building on their experience and innovation, developed an unprecedented approach, aiming to improve the patient’s quality of life. By implanting a spinal cord stimulator to stimulate the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in the patient’s spine, they were able to block pain sensations originating from the damaged nerve.
“After two years of agony and losing hope, I can finally look forward to a life without pain,” said the patient (who chooses to remain anonymous), whose relief was immediate after the procedure. “My family and I had been struggling to find an answer, and it feels like a miracle to finally be free from the pain,” he added.
Dr. Appaji Krishnan, Senior Consultant – Spine Surgery along with Pain Specialist Dr Anand Murugesan, Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai, said, “Damage to genitofemoral nerve causing debilitating pain in the groin area can impact even the simplest of daily activities.”
Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd, said, “ Pain relief is fundamental to human well-being, yet several patients with chronic pain worldwide often endure years of ineffective treatments and lack effective options for neuropathic pain.”
