Kolkata, Mar 6: Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, a unit of the Manipal Hospitals Group, successfully treated Yaw Boakey, a 60-year-old-male international patient from Ghana with a minimally invasive keyhole spine surgery under the care of Dr. Anindya Basu, Senior Consultant and Clinical Lead – Spine Surgery, with continuous monitoring and support from the nephrology team led by Dr. Upal Sengupta, Director – Team Nephrology & Consultant – Nephrology & Kidney Transplant and Dr. Avinandan Banerjee, Clinical Lead – Nephrology & Kidney Transplant at Manipal Hospital Mukundapur.
The patient who had undergone a kidney transplant at Manipal Hospital Mukundapur a few years back, had recently visited Kolkata for his routine medical checkup with his son James. During this time, he had complained of severe back pain in the lower back region, which was extending down both his legs. He was also suffering from a condition called neurogenic claudication, where the spinal nerves are compressed, causing pain and numbness in the legs during walking.
After a detailed examination and MRI scans, his medical readings determined that he was suffering from L4–L5 spondylolisthesis (where one bone of the spine slips forward over the bone below it) along with spinal canal stenosis (narrowing of the space in the spine), which was putting pressure on the nerves in his lower back and causing his symptoms.
Given his age and other major health problems, posed considerable risks. The spine surgery team at Manipal Hospital Mukundapur opted to go for minimally invasive Key -Hole spine fusion (TLIF) surgery, as it offers minimal blood loss, causes minimal post-operative pain, and allows for faster mobilisation, making it a safer procedure for elderly patients and those with severe comorbid conditions.
The surgery was successfully done without the need for transfusion of blood. The patient was mobilized the very next day of his surgery, started on physiotherapy, and put on minimum pain medication considering his kidney condition. Over the course of his hospital stay from 27 January to 4 February 2026, he showed steady improvement and was discharged in a stable condition, able to walk independently within a few days.
Speaking of this case, Dr. Anindya Basu, said, “Patients with kidney transplants and chronic kidney disease are often considered high-risk candidates for major surgeries. However, with the help of advanced minimally invasive techniques, we can now provide effective surgical interventions even to elderly patients with complex medical histories. The patient’s recovery is a perfect example of the effectiveness of modern spine surgery, not only in terms of the results but also in terms of its safety.”
James, the patient’s son, who is a businessman shared, “Considering my father’s kidney condition, we were naturally anxious about the surgery. However, the constant monitoring and coordinated care provided by the spine and nephrology teams gave us immense confidence throughout the process. Seeing him walk comfortably within just a few days was truly remarkable. We continue to stay in touch with the doctors, and he is recovering well after completing his post-surgery check-up.”
This case highlights that spinal surgery is no longer a high-risk procedure, even for elderly patients or those with existing medical conditions. With advanced minimally invasive techniques and interdisciplinary care, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur continues to build trust beyond borders while delivering safer, effective surgical outcomes for high-risk patients.
