Team from Apollo Chennai Uses Robotic Technology to Treat Severe Spine Deformity in South American Teen

When a 15-year-old girl from Suriname, South America, developed adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine with no clearly identifiable cause, her family began an urgent global search for specialised care. With limited treatment options in their home country, they reached out to multiple international centres. Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Teynampet, Chennai, responded promptly, enabling a swift consultation and guiding the family’s decision to travel to India for treatment.

Dr. Sajan K. Hegde, Director, Spine Surgery, Apollo Speciality Hospitals, and the team, with the 15-year-old patient- Sedi Van Genderen, and her mother - Iris.

On arrival, the patient was diagnosed with a severe and rapidly progressing spinal deformity that was affecting posture, mobility, and long-term health. Under the leadership of Dr. Sajan K. Hegde, Director – Spine Surgery, the multidisciplinary team adopted a staged, technology-driven approach. The initial phase involved halo gravity traction over three weeks to gradually improve spinal alignment. This was followed by a two-stage surgical intervention supported by robotic navigation and intraoperative neuromonitoring.

In the first surgery, screws were placed into the spine using robotic guidance to ensure high precision. In the second surgery, damaged discs were removed and the spine was stabilised by fusing certain bones together. Finally, the spine was carefully straightened and fixed in place across multiple levels. Robotic systems helped doctors see the spine in real time and place implants with great accuracy, improving outcomes and reducing risks.

Following the surgeries, the patient’s spinal curvature was corrected by about 75%, said Dr. Appaji Krishnan, Senior Consultant – Spine Surgery, who emphasised that the outcome was the result of a coordinated multidisciplinary team effort. The patient is recovering well, underscoring the impact of precision-led technologies and expert collaboration in managing complex spinal deformities, and reinforcing Chennai’s position as a trusted global destination for advanced spine care.