Apollo Cancer Centre Performs India’s First Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation Surgery

New Delhi: A team of spine surgeons and pain specialists at Apollo Cancer Centre (ACC), Chennai, has performed India’s first Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) stimulation surgery using a spinal cord stimulator. The procedure brought relief to a 30-year-old patient from Oman who had endured debilitating pain in his groin and upper thigh for over two years.

The patient’s condition, genitofemoral neuralgia, was caused by damage to the genitofemoral nerve during surgery for a testicular tumour. Despite exhausting conventional treatments, the pain persisted, affecting his quality of life. After thorough evaluation, the team at ACC opted for the DRG stimulation procedure to block pain signals from the damaged nerve.

Dr Appaji Krishnan, Senior Consultant - Spine Surgery, and Pain Specialist Dr Anand Murugesan, who led the surgery, explained: “Damage to the genitofemoral nerve causing debilitating pain in the groin area can impact even the simplest of daily activities. Having exhausted all conventional treatment methods, we were determined to find a solution that could provide lasting relief for our patient. By targeting the root of the nerve pain through DRG stimulation, we have provided a novel minimally invasive approach that allows us to relieve the pain, improve mobility, and enable patients to return to normalcy within a remarkably short span.”

Following the procedure, the patient expressed immense relief: “After two years of agony and losing hope, I can finally look forward to a life without pain. My family and I had been struggling to find an answer, and it feels like a miracle to finally be free from the pain. I can now start rebuilding my life, thanks to the care and dedication of the doctors at Apollo Cancer Centre.”

Dr Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd, highlighted the broader implications of this achievement: “This pioneering surgery underscores India’s potential as a leader in medical innovation. 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. With this achievement, we are setting a precedent for our hospital and for healthcare across India and globally. It is a proud moment for all of us and a powerful message about India’s commitment to advancing healthcare.”

Adding to this, Ms Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd, remarked: “At Apollo Hospitals, we are proud to lead the way in advanced spine care, continually redefining benchmarks with pioneering innovations. As the first in Asia to introduce Spine Robot technology and over 500 successful robotic-assisted surgeries so far, we’ve revolutionized minimally invasive procedures for faster recovery. This milestone of performing India’s first successful Spinal Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering transformative healthcare, restoring hope, and enhancing the quality of life for patients globally.”