Slovak orthopaedic surgeon Dušan Matejček successfully performed pioneering spinal surgery at the Faculty Hospital's Orthopedic Clinic in Brno, the Czech Republic, installing special implants in the spaces between the lumbar vertebrae. In this type of surgery, doctors do not use a camera or a microscope, but instead use only the naked eye. It is designed for patients with so-called Degenerative Disc Disease, in which natural, age-related wear-and-tear on soft spinal discs causes pain and instability. Doctor Matejček explained that the operation took around two hours and the patient was able to move about the next day. The surgeon is optimistic this surgery will soon be available in Slovakia, adding that preparations are already underway.
Gavin Shoebridge, Photo: TASR
