Srinagar, Nov 18: In a remarkable medical feat, doctors at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) have successfully performed a marathon 11-hour surgery to remove a rare holocord intramedullary spinal cord tumour in an 18-year-old girl, one of the most complex spinal surgeries ever performed in the region.
The entire procedure was carried out free of cost, a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
The surgery involved a 17-level laminoplasty followed by the delicate removal of a tumour from within the spinal cord (intramedullary), a technically demanding procedure rarely attempted even in leading neurosurgical centres.
The operation was led by Dr. Abrar Ahad Wani, Professor & Head of Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, along with his dedicated surgical team.
The Anaesthesia team, headed by Dr. Zulfikar Ali, provided continuous high-risk neuro-anaesthesia support throughout the 11-hour procedure, ensuring complete physiological stability of the young patient during the complex surgery.
Post-surgery, the patient is recovering well and showing encouraging signs of neurological improvement.
A family member expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying: “We are from a humble background and could not afford treatment outside. SKIMS did everything for our daughter free of cost. She was in unbearable pain and losing strength day by day. Today, she has hope again. We are deeply thankful to Prof. Abrar Ahad Wani and the entire SKIMS team for saving our child’s life.”
Director SKIMS & EOSG, Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, lauded the team for their exceptional achievement, stating:
“This 11-hour surgery reflects the highest level of skill, dedication, and teamwork by our Neurosurgery and Anaesthesia Departments. I congratulate the team for bringing laurels to SKIMS. This embodies what SKIMS stands for — advanced, compassionate, and equitable healthcare for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.”
The successful outcome once again reaffirms SKIMS as the Valley’s premier centre for advanced neurosurgical procedures and high-end tertiary care, setting new benchmarks in medical excellence and patient service.
