GYEONGGI-DO

Professor Im Soo-bin, Neurosurgery,

Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital,

Successfully Performs “Highly Difficult Bloodless Spinal Cord Tumor Surgery”

Deemed Unfeasible by Large Hospitals in Seoul

 

 

(Left) Tumor located anterior to the upper cervical nerves before surgery (Right) Tumor completely removed after surgery

 

 

Professor Im Soo-bin, a neurosurgeon at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, has announced a successful bloodless surgery on a patient with a particularly challenging spinal cord tumor. This procedure, deemed unfeasible at other hospitals, underscores a growing trend of patients declining transfusions due to religious beliefs and infection risks. Despite their increasing prevalence, bloodless surgeries remain challenging, with few medical teams in Korea possessing the necessary expertise.

 

Patient Hong, a 45-year-old woman, sought medical attention in 2020 due to severe shoulder pain and unexplained difficulty in holding objects. Following an MRI examination, she was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor. Despite her religious objections to transfusions, Hong sought treatment at five prestigious hospitals and university medical centers in Seoul. However, she was consistently informed that her tumor's location in proximity to spinal nerves posed a high risk of paralysis, making bloodless surgery impractical due to potential bleeding complications. Consequently, she was unable to undergo surgery for two years, during which time her symptoms worsened, extending to weakness in her legs, hindering her mobility. Upon learning of successful surgeries of fellow members performed by Professor Im Soo-bin through a religious organization negotiating committee, Hong sought treatment at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital. There, Professor Im Soo-bin successfully removed Hong's tumor without the need for a transfusion, offering her a renewed chance at recovery.

 

Professor Im Soo-bin explained, “The tumor was positioned in the posterior section of the medulla oblongata and spinal cord, ahead of the neurovascular structures. Employing the conventional approach of posterior midline access and laminectomy carried a significant risk of widespread paralysis, muscle weakness, and bleeding. Consequently, we had to explore alternative methods.” Professor Im Soo-bin devised a surgical plan involving access behind the ear and making an incision beside the dura mater surrounding the spinal cord, with the goal of minimizing disruption to the neurovascular structures. This approach resulted in minimal bleeding during the procedure, obviating the need for a transfusion, and enabled the complete removal of the spinal cord tumor without any subsequent paralysis.

 

 

 

(From left) Fully recovered patient Hong and Professor Im Soo-bin

after the successful “Highly Difficult Bloodless Spinal Cord Tumor Surgery”

 

 

Hong recounted her experience, stating, “I visited numerous major hospitals capable of performing spinal cord tumor surgery, but each one conveyed such discouraging messages as ‘Bloodless surgery presents challenges’ and ‘There’s a risk of post-surgery paralysis.’ Fearing the consequences, I hesitated to proceed with the surgery, resulting in years of delay. As predicted, paraplegia symptoms eventually surfaced, leaving me with no choice but to seek immediate treatment. It felt like I had hit a dead end and considered giving up hope, but it was at that moment I found gratitude towards Professor Im Soo-bin for successfully performing the tumor removal surgery.”

 

Professor Im Soo-bin emphasized, “Respecting patients’ religious convictions and tailoring treatment accordingly is an integral aspect of our responsibility as medical professionals. Bloodless surgery, when viable, presents a commendable approach to circumvent potential complications associated with blood transfusions, such as hemolysis, irrespective of religious beliefs. Rigorous attention to hemostasis throughout the surgical process is paramount for achieving successful outcomes in bloodless procedures.”

 

Professor Im elaborated further, stating, “The success of this surgery in a hospital located in the Gyeonggi region, which is deemed challenging even in major hospitals in Seoul, South Korea, underscores an important point. There has been a recent trend where patients instinctively gravitate towards seeking treatment exclusively at large hospitals in Seoul upon discovering severe illnesses. However, it's crucial to recognize that exceptional medical expertise exists beyond the confines of Seoul, allowing patients to receive equally effective treatment elsewhere.” This observation reaffirmed the ongoing reality of healthcare standardization across South Korea.

 

 

Website: https://international.schmc.ac.kr/bucheonEng/index.do