AIIMS Rajkot performs first complex lumbar spine surgery, patient walks by day 4
Synopsis
A 78-year-old woman who could barely walk was on her feet independently within four days of AIIMS Rajkot's first-ever complex lumbar spine surgery — a procedure that signals the arrival of super-speciality spinal care in Saurashtra and sets the stage for minimally invasive techniques to follow.
Key Takeaways
AIIMS Rajkot performed its first complex lumbar spine surgery on 3 August , marking the launch of advanced spinal care services at the institute.
The patient, a 78-year-old woman , was diagnosed with lumbar canal stenosis after two years of severe lower back and leg pain.
The multi-level lumbar decompression and spinal fixation surgery was led by Dr Kulbhushan Kamboj , Head of Orthopaedics.
The patient walked independently by day 4 and was discharged on day 10 post-surgery.
AIIMS Rajkot plans to introduce minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery in the near future.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rajkot has successfully completed its first complex lumbar spine surgery, marking the formal launch of advanced spinal care services at the institute and significantly expanding access to super-speciality treatment for patients across Saurashtra and Gujarat. The milestone procedure was performed on 3 August by the institute's Department of Orthopaedics.
The Patient and the Diagnosis
The surgery was performed on a 78-year-old woman who had endured severe lower back pain for two years, accompanied by persistent pain in both legs and significant muscle weakness that left her unable to walk more than a few steps without acute discomfort. Following a detailed clinical examination and radiological assessment by senior faculty and super-speciality specialists, she was diagnosed with lumbar canal stenosis — a condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal nerves, causing lower back pain, leg pain, numbness, weakness, and difficulty walking.
The Procedure
The patient underwent a multi-level lumbar decompression and spinal fixation surgery, a technically demanding operation requiring advanced surgical expertise, prolonged operating time, specialised techniques, and coordinated multidisciplinary teamwork. The surgery was led by Dr Kulbhushan Kamboj, Head of the Department of Orthopaedics, with surgical assistance from Harshil and Hardik. Anaesthetic care was managed throughout by a team comprising Vikramvardhan, Anita, and colleagues from the Department of Anaesthesiology. The procedure was carried out under the guidance of Executive Director L. N. Dorairajan, with support from the hospital administration.
Recovery and Outcome
The patient's recovery was notably swift. She was able to walk independently by the fourth day after the operation and was discharged on the tenth day following stabilisation of her condition. AIIMS Rajkot described the outcome as a significant step in its drive to deliver advanced super-speciality healthcare to underserved populations in the region. This is the first such procedure at the institute, making it a landmark moment for public healthcare infrastructure in Gujarat.
What Comes Next
AIIMS Rajkot has indicated it is working to introduce minimally invasive spine surgery and endoscopic spine surgery in the near future. According to the institute, these techniques are expected to allow surgery through smaller incisions where clinically appropriate, resulting in less tissue damage, reduced post-operative pain, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stays — outcomes that could further transform spinal care access in the region. Congratulating the medical team, Executive Director L. N. Dorairajan said the institute would continue working to provide advanced healthcare services to patients across the area.
Point of View
And the success of this procedure, combined with the institute's stated plans for minimally invasive techniques, suggests a genuine build-out rather than a one-off. The real measure will be volume: whether AIIMS Rajkot can sustain a spine surgery programme at scale and at public-sector pricing, or whether this remains a headline achievement. The speed of the patient's recovery also points to competent anaesthetic and post-operative care — often the weak link in newly launched surgical programmes at government institutions.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What surgery did AIIMS Rajkot perform for the first time?
AIIMS Rajkot performed a multi-level lumbar decompression and spinal fixation surgery — its first complex lumbar spine procedure — on 3 August. The surgery marks the formal launch of advanced spine surgery services at the institute.
Who was the patient and what was her condition?
The patient was a 78-year-old woman who had suffered from severe lower back pain, leg pain, and significant weakness for two years. She was diagnosed with lumbar canal stenosis, a condition in which narrowing of the spinal canal compresses the spinal nerves.
How quickly did the patient recover after the surgery?
The patient recovered remarkably quickly, walking independently by the fourth day after the operation. She was discharged from the hospital on the tenth day after her condition stabilised.
Who led the surgical team at AIIMS Rajkot?
The surgery was led by Dr Kulbhushan Kamboj, Head of the Department of Orthopaedics, with assistance from Harshil and Hardik. Anaesthetic care was managed by Vikramvardhan, Anita, and colleagues from the Department of Anaesthesiology.
What advanced spine surgery techniques does AIIMS Rajkot plan to introduce next?
AIIMS Rajkot has stated it is working to introduce minimally invasive spine surgery and endoscopic spine surgery in the near future. These techniques are expected to reduce tissue damage, post-operative pain, and hospital stay duration.
