Apollo Hospitals, Muscat successfully performed an OATS surgery arthroscopically – a rare feat in Oman

Dr Ranjith Nair, head of Department, Orthopaedics, Apollo Hospital Muscat, led his orthopaedic team to perform an entire Osteochondral Autograft Transfer System (OATS) surgery arthroscopically (keyhole surgery technique). A surgical procedure of this kind is a rare feat in Oman, as majority of centres skilled in this discipline perform this technique as open surgeries involving a longer recovery period.

“OATS is not recommended for everyone but is typically used for younger patients under 50 years with minimal cartilage damage and available healthy cartilage for transfer. A successful OATS surgery will enable the bone and cartilage to grow into the damaged area of the knee, successfully resolving the patient’s knee pain. OATS is considered to be the gold standard in orthopaedic surgery for successful cartilage repair,” said Dr Nair.

The patient was a 22-year-old male who approached Dr Nair with continuing pain in his left knee, the aftermath of a fall while playing football three months ago. Dr Nair added, “The patient is recovering smoothly and post operatively has already started physiotherapy and non-weight bearing crutch walking.”

Dr Dilip Singhvi, Medical Director, Apollo Hospitals, said, “Dr Nair and his team have always been focused on using better surgical techniques for excellent results.”