Dubai, July 23, 2012 - Wooridul Spine Centre, a collobration between Wooridul Hospital and Mubadala Healthcare, today announced the successful completion of the UAE's first ever percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PECD), a minimally invasive spine surgery used to treat cervical disc herniation diseases.
World-renowned neuro spinal surgeon and medical director at Wooridul Spine Centre in Dubai, Dr. Chan-Shik Shim, used the surgery to treat 40-year old Naomi Belinda Carr Sutherland, a Dubai resident who had been suffering from severe neck and shoulder pain for a number of years.
"Prior to my surgery, I had recurring episodes of extreme pain and limited range of motion due to a compressed nerve in my spinal disc. Thanks to Dr. Shim and Wooridul Spine Centre, my life has been completely transformed. I am now free from discomfort and I can finally live a normal pain-free life," said Naomi Sutherland.
The advanced PECD procedure uses a very small tube (around 5mm in diameter) and laser to remove portions of the patient's spinal disc that press on nerves or other parts of spinal cord. It helped relieve Naomi from pain, removed the weakness she felt in her left arm and has helped prevent any further nerve defects. Her recuperation period was extremely fast due to the short operation and hospitalization period and the minimally invasive nature of the procedure.
Wooridul Spine Centre is the result of a partnership between Mubadala Healthcare and Wooridul Spine Hospital in South Korea, world leaders in minimally invasive spine surgery. The Centre is dedicated to the treatment of spinal injuries and chronic back pain. The first facility in Dubai opened in 2011 and will be joined by another larger facility in Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Chan-Shik Shim, who heads the Centre, is a world-renowned Neuro Spinal Surgeon in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and motion preservation surgery in lumbar and cervical spine, with many years of experience. Before assuming the role of medical director at Wooridul Spine Centre, he served as president of Chungdam Wooridul Spine Hospital, the flagship hospital of Wooridul, in Seoul, South Korea, and as Director of Academic Affairs and Vice President of the hospital group.
"Unlike conventional surgery, PECD has a high success rate with minimal complications," Dr. Shim said. "At Wooridul Spine Centre, we believe it is our duty to educate patients from across the region about the benefits of minimally invasive treatment and the fact that these more advanced treatments are now available in the UAE."
Ihsan Al Marzouqi, Senior Vice President at Mubadala Healthcare and Chairman of Wooridul Spine Centre said: " I am delighted that, through our partnership with Wooridul Spine Hospital, we have been able to bring the very latest advancements in spinal care to the United Arab Emirates. Successful surgeries like this are testament to the progress we are making in addressing the high prevalence of spinal problems in the region and reducing the need for patients to travel abroad for treatment."
About Wooridul Spine Centre
Wooridul Spine Centre, a partnership between Mubadala Healthcare and Wooridul Spine Hospital in South Korea, is a specialist spine care facility that is entirely dedicated to the treatment of spinal injuries and chronic back pain. Guided by the world leaders in the pioneering minimally-Invasive treatment techniques, Wooridul Spine Centre in UAE truly provides patients with a complete Spectrum of spine care solutions - from diagnostics and pain management through to advanced surgical techniques and physiotherapy. 2012 will see the launch of our flagship facility in the Arzanah Medical Complex at Abu Dhabi with a comprehensive range of both inpatient and outpatient treatment.
About Wooridul Spine Hospital
Wooridul Hospital was established in Busan, South Korea, in 1982, and has become the world's leading spine hospital with the state of art equipment and technology. Based upon minimally invasive treatment principle, Wooridul Hospital has investigated and developed various spine treatments to act up to patients' expectation for minimal scars and fast recovery.
About Mubadala Healthcare
Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) is a catalyst for the economic diversification of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The company's commercial strategy is built on the management of long-term, capital-intensive, investments that deliver not only strong financial returns but tangible social benefits for the people of Abu Dhabi. In doing so Mubadala is expanding the economic base of the Emirate and in turn significantly contributing to the growth and diversification of the Abu Dhabi economy.
As a business unit of Mubadala Development Company, Mubadala Healthcare is playing an instrumental role in the creation of a thriving healthcare sector for the Emirate. By establishing partnerships with renowned international medical institutions, it is actively investing to develop healthcare services that provide patients with world-class treatment in their home country. Mubadala Healthcare evaluates potential projects both on their likely commercial returns as well as on their socio-economic impact. It aims to establish sustainable businesses, build regional capability and stimulate the overall development of the sector. The first priority has been to address the region's most pressing healthcare needs through the creation of specialist healthcare facilities. In collaboration with medical organizations such as Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Imperial College London and Cleveland Clinic, the goal is to bring the highest standards of clinical expertise to the region and reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for treatment.
For more information about Mubadala, its partnerships and activities please visit www.mubadala.ae
Media Contact:
Hala Bhat
Marketing Manager
Wooridul Spine Centre
Tel: +9714 3046767
Sameh Hamtini
Asda'a Burson-Marsteller
Tel: +9712 6334133
© Press Release 2012
