Medical First! SRM Global Hospitals Doctors Save Mother & Baby with C-Section + Cauda Equina Syndrome Spine Operation
Chennai, March 25, 2026: In a remarkable and rare medical achievement, doctors at SRM Global Hospitals successfully performed a high-risk dual emergency surgery on a 32-week pregnant woman, saving both mother and child. The patient had developed a severe spinal condition that left her unable to walk and caused loss of bowel and bladder control.
In a carefully coordinated procedure, the medical team first performed an emergency Caesarean section to safely deliver the baby. This was immediately followed by a complex spinal surgery to relieve critical nerve compression and prevent permanent paralysis. Following the surgery, the mother has regained her ability to walk, while the newborn remains stable.
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The condition was diagnosed as Cauda Equina Syndrome, a rare and life-threatening neurological emergency caused by a lumbar disc extrusion at the L4-L5 level. The condition occurs when the spinal disc bulges out and compresses the cauda equina—a bundle of nerves at the lower end of the spinal cord responsible for movement and control of bladder and bowel functions. This led to progressive weakness in the patient’s lower limbs, inability to walk, and loss of sensation and control.
The surgery was led by Dr. Yogesh Kumar, Senior Consultant, Spine Care, and supported by a multidisciplinary team including Dr. R.K. Vidhyalakshmi (Senior Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology), Dr. D. Abinaya (Consultant, Clinical Haematology), Dr. Ashok C (Senior Consultant, Neonatology), and Dr. Shanmitha R (Consultant, Anaesthesiology).
Cauda Equina Syndrome is a medical emergency with a very narrow treatment window. If not addressed within hours, it can lead to irreversible nerve damage, permanent paralysis, and lifelong loss of bladder and bowel control.
The case was further complicated by several high-risk factors. The patient, weighing approximately 130 kg, had multiple comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. She was also diagnosed with antiphospholipid antibody (APLA) syndrome, a blood-clotting disorder requiring anticoagulation therapy, which significantly increased the risk of bleeding during surgery.
Despite these challenges, a multidisciplinary team of specialists—including obstetricians, spine surgeons, anaesthetists, haematologists, and paediatric intensivists—meticulously planned and executed the procedure under strict safety protocols. Their coordinated efforts ensured a successful outcome for both mother and baby.
Dr. Yogesh Kumar, who led the spinal surgery, highlighted the complexity of the case: “This was an extremely rare and challenging situation involving multiple high-risk conditions alongside advanced pregnancy. The biggest challenge was the surgical positioning—Caesarean sections require the patient to lie on her back, whereas spinal surgeries are performed face-down. Repositioning the patient immediately after a C-section is highly delicate and risky. Additionally, managing continuous bleeding risk due to blood-thinning medication and balancing multiple drug therapies required precise planning. The success of this surgery is a testament to seamless multidisciplinary coordination.”
Dr. P. Sathyanarayanan, President, emphasised the team effort involved: “This case exemplifies the power of collaborative medicine. Each specialist—from the gynaecologist and spine surgeon to the haematologist, anaesthetist, and paediatric intensivist—played a critical role. Without this level of coordination and expertise, achieving such a positive outcome would not have been possible.”
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