The first keyhole spinal surgery procedure at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Werribee was performed last week.
Neurosurgeon and spinal surgeon Girish Nair, who also heads the neurosurgery unit at Western Health, performed the operation on Tarneit resident Andrew, last Tuesday.
Andrew underwent a two-hour microscopic keyhole laminectomy surgery to help relieve pressure on nerves in his back.
Andrew said his GP referred him to Mr Nair, the founder of state-wide neurosurgical practice Neuroaxis.
While Neuroaxis conducts consultations in Werribee, before Andrew came along Mr Nair had never performed keyhole spinal surgery in the area.
“I asked him to come to St Vincent’s because it’s nice and local,” Andrew said. “He said, ‘Yes’, and the rest is history.”
Mr Nair said that previously patients from Wyndham who needed such operations had to travel to a hospital located in or near Melbourne.
He said that within six to 12 months, he expected St Vincent’s would be able to conduct more complex spinal surgeries, such as disc removals.
“For us, it’s very exciting that this has come here,” he said.
“It’s long overdue for the area and it’s great that St Vincent’s have recognised the need in the area.”
