World's 1st extrapleural spine microsurgery in Shanghai

Shanghai doctors have succeeded in performing the world's first transthoracic extrapleural spine microsurgery at Wooridul International Spine Hospital.

The operation was necessary to save a young man from paralysis. The 28-year-old patient, Liu Youwei from Anhui province, will leave the hospital Saturday, August 7 after a week of treatment.

Byungjoo Jung, president of the hospital, said the two-hour operation removed a thoracic ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and ossified ligamentum flavum (OLF) through a single transthoracic extrapleural approach.

Six months ago, Liu suddenly felt uncomfortable while walking, standing and urinating. His situation rapidly worsened in May. His leg progressively weakened and he even had to use a wheelchair at the time of his initial hospital visit, Jung said.

"He was finally diagnosed as having thoracic cord myelopathy due to OPLL and OLF," said Jung.

Liu said that he and his parents had visited many hospitals only to receive disheartening news.

"Most of the doctors suggested a big traditional surgery with screw fixation," said Liu, "but the operation risk is so high that I could be paralyzed even after a successful surgery."

Liu learned about the Shanghai Wooridul International Spine Hospital from a relative in the United States. After a thorough examination of his condition, doctors decided that the best option was to operate through a single transthoracic extrapleural approach, the world's first spine surgery of its kind, Jung said.

"Although the operation was really difficult and dangerous, the doctors finally operated a successful surgery by overcoming all the problems," said Joseph Kim, vice president of the hospital.

The surgical operation lasted two hours with blood loss of only 80cc, Kim said, adding that all the normal body structure was saved and the patient's lung was protected completely because the surgery was operated outside of the pleural cavity.

Liu is now able to walk about the ward without any assistance and feels that his condition becomes better and better everyday.

"After one or two years, his health can be fully recovered," Jung said. Jung said people in East Asia are prone to the disease, with China having at least 1 million patients.

The hospital is a joint venture launched by Tianjin Tasly Group, a pharmaceutical group, and Korea Wooridul Hospital Group. It opened November 14, 2009 after an investment of more than 100 million yuan. The hospital has performed more than 200 spinal surgeries since its opening.

"It is our first effort in China," said Jung. "If the hospital is well-operated, we will consider setting up the second or third in other parts of the country."