Paras Health Srinagar expands spine care with advanced minimally invasive fusion procedure

Srinagar, Feb 28: In a significant step forward for advanced healthcare in the Valley, Paras Health Srinagar has successfully performed the first Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MISS-TLIF), in the private healthcare sector in Srinagar.

The achievement marks an important milestone in making complex spine treatments accessible within Jammu & Kashmir, reducing the need for patients to travel outside the region for specialised care.

The procedure was carried out by an experienced neurosurgical team comprising Prof Altaf Umar Ramzan, Dr Irfan H. Bhat, Dr Rahil Rafiq, and Dr Muqtasid Rashid, Neuro-Anaesthetist, along with the dedicated Neuro-OT and neurosurgery coordination teams. The surgery utilised advanced C-arm guided percutaneous pedicle screw fixation, tubular spinal decompression, and interbody cage placement performed under microscopic visualisation, enabling high surgical precision through a minimally invasive approach, said a press release.

The patient had been experiencing persistent lower back pain radiating to the right leg for nearly five years, with symptoms worsening significantly over the past year and affecting daily mobility. Diagnostic imaging revealed Grade I L5–S1 listhesis associated with disc degeneration, spinal instability, and bilateral pars fractures. Following detailed clinical evaluation, the patient underwent MISS-TLIF surgery under general anaesthesia in December 2025. Post-surgery, the patient demonstrated significant pain relief and improved walking ability, marking a positive recovery trajectory. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery represents an important advancement in spinal care. Unlike traditional open procedures, MISS techniques involve smaller incisions that minimise muscle disruption, reduce blood loss, and lower post-operative discomfort. Patients typically benefit from shorter hospital stays, faster rehabilitation, and reduced risk of complications, allowing them to return to daily activities sooner.

Until recently, individuals requiring such specialised spinal procedures often had limited options within the state and were compelled to seek treatment in metropolitan centres outside Jammu & Kashmir. The successful completion of this surgery highlights the growing availability of advanced neurosurgical expertise and infrastructure within Srinagar itself, supported by integrated surgical, anaesthesia, and critical care services.

Dr Altaf Umar Ramzan, Director – Neurosciences, Paras Health Srinagar, said, “For many patients in the Valley, travelling outside the state for complex spine surgery has long been both physically and emotionally challenging.