The University Spine Centre is a one-stop holistic centre for spinal problems in Singapore. Sub-specialised care at the centre is provided by a team of dedicated full-time spine surgeons. Our patients are managed with a multi-disciplinary approach with the integration of the services provided by the spinal surgeons, physiotherapists, nurses, social workers and care coordinators.
The spectrum of spinal surgeries provided at the centre are:
Degenerative spinal disorders
- Cervical myelopathy surgery
- Lumbar canal stenosis surgery
- Cervical / lumbar disc disease surgery
Scoliosis
- Degenerative scoliosis surgery
- Adolescent scoliosis surgery
- Neuromuscular scoliosis surgery
Trauma
- Major spine fracture surgery
- Polytrauma patients
Tumour surgery
- Primary cancer of spinal column
- Metastatic spinal tumours
For the above mentioned conditions, the full spectrum of operative surgery is provided at the centre. The surgery is made safe at the centre by using the following measures:
1. Operating Table
We offer high technology operating table facilities with precise patient positioning using precise electronic positioning of the tables during operation to provide optimal position for patients. It has excellent pressure reducing devices at various places to prevent any sore during long operations. Some of the operating tables are made totally of carbon fibre. The absence of metal components allows unobstructed x-ray imaging of the spine from any direction.
2. Operating Microscope
Operating microscopes, which gives magnified 3-D vision under co-axial lighting reduces the chance of injury to vital structures and tissues. Since the surgery becomes more specific by the use of a microscope, the blood loss during surgery also reduces, giving our patients an improved chance of recovery.
3. Ensuring surgical precision with the use of Spinal Navigation System - These advanced systems help our spine surgeons to place implants with precision, thereby the operating time and increasing accuracy.
Iso-C3D - This system produces a 3D image by acquiring using a CT scan with a C-shaped arm. This significantly improves quality and safety levels when reconstructing the spine and positioning screws or implants during surgery. It is also used as a post-operative control within the operating room to confirm and document the proper placement of implants of anatomy and any related hardware.
4. Spinal cord monitoring
In cervical and thoracic surgery, the spinal cord is monitored continuously to detect any injury to the spinal cord early .
5. Spinal nerve root monitoring
The spinal nerve roots are neurophysiologicaly monitored continuously during low back surgery to detect and avoid any damage to the nerve roots.
6. Pediguard Technology
This advanced technology helps to provide safer pedicle screw placement in patients with scoliosis and complex spinal deformities. The ionic field sensor tip is able to detect fluid leakage through a potential bony breach in the bony wall of the pedicle just before the breach occurs.
7. Managing blood loss
We offer an up-to-date system to minimise and replenish blood lost during surgeries, with the ease of:
Anaesthesia support - We have anaesthetists who provide hypotensive anaesthesia to reduce blood loss during surgery. They also monitor the patients throughout the surgery. The blood banks are available 24/7 to deal with any emergencies.
Cell Savers - These use a specialised machine which filters and washes the blood lost during surgery and packs the red blood cells so that they can be reinfused back into the patient, thereby replacing the blood lost during surgery.
Haemostatic Agents - These are pharmaceutical agents, which we use to reduce blood loss during surgery.
We ensure safety of our patients for surgery by doing a proper pre-operative checkup, which is carried out at the centre. At the same time, the patients are provided with clear and easy to understand information as part of financial counseling. A personalised pre-operative and post-operative schedule is made for every patient at the pre-operative assessment.
We also liaise with the step-down facilities to provide continual ancillary support to ensure the recovery and rehabilitation of the patient to re-adapt into their daily routines.
