A group of people standing in a conference room, smiling for the camera as they are standing over a table with a white hospital contraption. Several men are dressed in suits, along with women dressed in nurse uniforms.

The new spinal surgery has been made possible by a fundraising campaign [NHS Humber Health Partnership]

A “revolutionary” keyhole surgery is coming to Hull for spinal operations, NHS officials said.

Hull Royal Infirmary’s neurosurgeons will be able to perform endoscopic spine surgery using a small probe and camera through a keyhole incision.

It has been made possible through a major investment into a mobile imaging system, funded by independent hospital charity WISHH and Ruth and Tony Knowles, from Lincolnshire, in memory of their daughter Emma-Jayne who died from a brain tumour.

Mr Shuaibu Dambatta, consultant in neurosurgery at Hull Royal Infirmary, said the surgery was “far less invasive and safer”, meaning most patients will be able to go home on the same day.

The surgery will be offered for those with conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis and spinal infections.

Along with the surgery equipment, NHS Humber Health Partnership will be able to benefit from an UpSurgeon Trainer, a computer model of the spine which will be used to train doctors in the new form of surgery.

A portrait photo of a man posing for the camera with his hands held at his front, wearing a navy blazer and white shirt with a lanyard on. He is stood in a hospital corridor.

Mr Shuaibu Dambatta says the new surgery is “far less invasive and safer” [NHS Humber Health Partnership]

NHS Humber Health Partnership purchased the equipment after WISHH and Mr and Mrs Knowles, from Sutton on Sea, Lincolnshire, raised more than £176,000 for the hospital team.

Their daughter, Emma-Jayne, died of a brain tumour two weeks before her 23rd birthday in 1998.

Mr Knowles died last year but Mrs Knowles has continued to fundraise for the hospital.

She said: “Tony and I always said that fundraising won’t bring Emma-Jayne back, but what we can do is help the neurosurgical team to help other people.”

Sue Lockwood, WISHH Charity chair, said: “This is a procedure which will benefit many patients in the coming years, and it is only thanks to the support and generosity of local people that the WISHH Charity has the funds to support such initiatives.”

Consultant neurosurgeon Chittoor Rajaraman said: “At a time when the NHS continues to face significant challenges – particularly from a financial perspective – WISHH and the Knowles family have gone above and beyond to help us secure this vital equipment.”

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