Qatar Foundation institution performs surgical cutting edge modified Dunn procedures
Doha, Qatar, 17 April 2019: Sidra Medicine has successfully performed a series of hip preservation surgeries on young patients using the modified Dunn procedure.
A recent surgery was performed on a young girl who presented with considerable discomfort and a significant limp. The patient Eman, was referred to Sidra Medicine by Al Khor Hospital.
Eman’s condition was a result of a slippage of the growth plate at the top of her thigh bone called slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a condition that affects both components of the hip joint (ball and socket) and when the ball of the hip joint slips on the growth plate during growth. This leads to deformity of the ball and damage to the socket of the hip joint which can eventually cause premature arthritis of the hip joint in early adulthood.
After undergoing a thorough pre-surgery evaluation with the orthopedic surgery team at Sidra Medicine, Eman was scheduled for the pioneering modified Dunn procedure1 in February 2019.2 Watch her story here.
The complex four hour surgery was led by Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Talal Ibrahim along with Division Chief of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Dr. Jason Howard and Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Abdelsalam Hegazy.
Commenting on the surgery milestone, Dr. Talal Ibrahim said: “The modified Dunn procedure is the pinnacle of pediatric orthopedic surgery. We are happy to see Eman thriving since the surgery was performed. She has started to fully bear weight on the left hip which is viable and stable. The patient’s family are very pleased with the result and that their daughter is now out of pain.”
Two months on, Eman is currently receiving post-surgery care at Sidra Medicine and is soon expected to make a full recovery. Eman commented: “Since the operation, I can go about my day without the pain and discomfort that was plaguing me before. The nurses and doctors here are really friendly and made my stay comfortable. Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
Eman’s father said: “I am so happy to see my daughter thriving and not in pain anymore. How she bore the pain for so long, is beyond me. She’s a brave girl and we are very grateful to the teams here at Sidra Medicine.”
Eman’s surgery, care and treatment is the second case performed by Sidra Medicine in recent months. The methodology highlights the multidisciplinary nature of Sidra Medicine’s approach to orthopedic surgery as patient care teams include specially trained nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, child-life specialists and orthopedic technologists. The surgery team also leverage Sidra Medicine’s in-house 3D surface imaging and 3D printing systems to create a state-of-the art clinical assessment and planning for such cases.
Dr. Mansour Ali, Chair of the Department of Surgery at Sidra Medicine said: “The modified Dunn procedure is a challenging orthopedic procedure and I am very proud of the surgery team at Sidra Medicine for undertaking this process. It showcases our commitment to offering world-class patient care and services and that we continue to learn and apply best practice evidence based treatment and cutting-edge surgical techniques.”
“This is also another example that minimizes the need for patients to travel abroad for complex surgeries as they now have the option to receive the same care and treatment here in Qatar. In fact, what sets Sidra Medicine apart is that our patient and family approach to care means that patient families are in a culture and environment that is both familiar and comforting. I would like to take this as an opportunity to also thank the teams at HMC who are committed to working with us to ensure that referral and safety processes are applied across the spectrum of pediatric care in Qatar.”
The Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Division at Sidra Medicine provides comprehensive surgical services for children and adolescents with various musculoskeletal disorders including serious malformations of the limbs due to congenital or metabolic bone diseases; bone and joint disorders; scoliosis or other spinal deformities and acute presentations of fractures and/or dislocations and musculoskeletal infections requiring urgent or emergent management.
To view the Arabic press release, pleases click here.
For more details about Sidra Medicine’s services, please visit www.sidra.org.
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Notes to the editor:
1 – About the modified Dunn procedure: Studies on the blood supply to the femoral head (ball) by Professor Ganz and his team in Berne, Switzerland over the past 20 years have led to the development of a surgical dislocation of the femoral head (ball) with almost negligible risks. As an extension to this approach, the retinacular soft tissue flap allows full surgical access to the hip joint with visual control of the blood supply to the femoral head (ball). Finally, the technique of a femoral head (ball) re-orientation through a surgical dislocation of the hip with development of a retinacular soft tissue flap is known as the modified Dunn procedure. This surgical procedure is indicated for moderate and severe (acute or chronic) slipped capital femoral epiphysis.
2 - About the surgery: Eman’s surgery entailed opening and separating the ball and socket of the left hip joint while preserving the blood supply to the ball. The ball was then realigned to its normal position and stabilized with wires. The damage to the socket due to the slippage of the ball was addressed in the same setting. Finally, the ball was then repositioned into the socket with reattachment of the bone, muscles and ligaments. The hip joint was stable at the end of the operation.