Doctors at KIMS Hospitals, Kondapur, have successfully treated a 10-year-old boy suffering from a rare form of spinal cancer, giving him a new lease of life through advanced robotic spine surgery.
Consultant Spine Surgeon Dr. Krishna Chaitanya explained that the boy, Hima Sai from Hyderabad, initially complained of abdominal pain and severe lower back pain. After preliminary evaluations at local clinics failed to provide a clear diagnosis, he was brought to KIMS Hospitals, Kondapur, for further assessment.
Detailed clinical and radiological investigations, including an FDG-PET scan, revealed significant thinning of one of the spinal bones, raising suspicion of a rare bone disorder. Subsequent tissue analysis showed cancerous changes. Advanced diagnostic tests later confirmed the condition as Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone cancer commonly seen in children and adolescents.
Under the supervision of the oncology team, the child first underwent two cycles of chemotherapy and responded well to the treatment. Following this, doctors performed a highly complex robotic-guided L4 vertebra en-bloc excision and spinal fixation surgery.
Dr. Krishna Chaitanya said robotic technology enabled precise pre-surgical planning, accurate placement of pedicle screws even in abnormal anatomical structures, and controlled surgical cuts for complete tumour removal.
“Robotics enhances precision and safety in surgery. However, it does not replace the surgeon’s expertise; it only supports it,” he said. Post-operative biopsy reports confirmed complete removal of the tumour with clear margins. The child recovered without any neurological complications and was discharged after regaining the ability to walk independently.
Doctors stated that this was the En Bloc resection is done rarely as it's very complex with multiple complications. marking a significant milestone in spinal cancer treatment. The surgical procedure was led by Dr. Krishna Chaitanya and Dr. Harsha Vikram, with expert support from Oncologist Dr. Priyanka.
Ewing sarcoma is a cancer that mainly affects children and adolescents. Doctors noted that a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy, when required, can provide effective outcomes. They added that robotic-assisted surgery helped identify and remove the complex spinal tumour with greater precision while enabling faster recovery for the child.
