"Heroes": Kimberley Makes Medical History With Africa’s First Reported Trans-Kambin OLLIF Procedure

• A surgical team in Kimberley reportedly completed Africa's first trans-Kambin OLLIF spinal procedure at Lenmed Royal Hospital and Heart Centre
• The pioneering surgery involved three local doctors and a US-based neurosurgeon who provided observation and educational guidance
• The milestone has put Kimberley on the map for medical innovation, with a local company supplying the specialised spinal cages used in the technique

A surgical team in Kimberley has reportedly performed Africa's first trans-Kambin Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion, known as OLLIF, marking what could be a significant moment for advanced spinal care on the continent.

The procedures took place at Lenmed Royal Hospital and Heart Centre, with follow-up surgeries carried out at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital. The team was led by Dr Antony Thomas, Dr Tayo Sulaiman and Prof Aftab Younus. US-based neurosurgeon Prof Hamid Reza Abbasi joined the effort in an observational and educational capacity.

What is the OLLIF procedure?

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OLLIF is a minimally invasive spinal fusion technique designed to stabilise the lower spine and ease symptoms linked to certain spinal conditions. Compared to traditional open surgery, it offers potential advantages such as reduced blood loss and shorter recovery times, though outcomes depend on individual patients.

The surgical team described the achievement as the result of years of training and cross-border collaboration, adding that it could help grow specialist surgical expertise and widen access to advanced spinal care across South Africa.

A Kimberley-based company, Mzanzi Spine, supplied the specialised spinal cages central to the procedure, giving the milestone a distinctly local flavour.

Kimberley's growing role in medical innovation

The team also recognised the broader network of professionals who made the surgeries possible, including anaesthesiologists, theatre staff, radiographers, hospital management and the Northern Cape Department of Health.

The statement noted that the milestone reflects Kimberley's expanding role in medical innovation, specialist training and international collaboration. The claim that this is Africa's first such procedure is based on the surgical team's own report.

View the Facebook post below:

Mzansi reacts to the surgical milestone

South Africans were quick to celebrate the news on the page, with theatre staff in particular feeling the moment:

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Debra Nomthunzi Ngono said:

"We scrub sisters we are heroes too the doctors cannot work alone... We need to be recognized too ao"

Gloria Mondela wrote:

"Dr HE' YOU ARE THE HEROES..."

Gloria Mondela added:

"Dr Ramorashwi queen of the moment. I respect you my doctors"

Gloria Mondela also said:

"Dr Mercy Adegbenro, tell them you are HEROES doc"

Thandi Bee simply responded with a string of applause and prayer emojis, summing up the mood of many who followed the story.

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Source: Briefly News