The Community Hospital of Seventh-day Adventists has made medical history as the first facility in Trinidad and Tobago to perform an endoscopic spine surgery. The achievement marks a significant step in the hospital’s mission to provide cutting-edge, high-quality care while addressing critical gaps in diagnostic and spinal treatment services, institution leaders said.
Renée Cruickshank, a consultant neurosurgeon and spine surgeon in Trinidad and Tobago, successfully performed the minimally invasive procedure on February 12, ushering in a new era of spinal care in the country.
“It certainly was a monumental occasion,” Cruickshank said. “This is truly a game changer in terms of patient outcomes, and I’m thrilled to see this technology available in the Caribbean.”
Advancing Spinal Surgery in the Region
Endoscopic spine surgery is an advanced form of minimally invasive surgery that reduces tissue damage, minimizes postoperative pain, and accelerates recovery, she explained. Using an incision of less than one centimeter, surgeons insert a working tube to create a portal to the affected spinal disk. A high-resolution endoscope then guides the procedure in real time, allowing for precision without disrupting surrounding tissue.
Compared to traditional spinal surgery, this technique results in less bleeding, lower infection risk, and faster recovery, making it a more patient-friendly alternative.
Cruickshank performed the procedure alongside cosurgeon Alfonso García of Mexico. A second surgery was later successfully completed. To the best of her knowledge, these were the first procedures of their kind in the English-speaking Caribbean.
“This has been a dream come true,” she said. “I trained in Germany for this technique and have long hoped to bring it to the Caribbean. The Community Hospital provided the infrastructure and equipment, and now patients here have access to the same level of spinal care available in leading medical centers worldwide.”
Surgical teams during training in preparation for the introduction of the new spine surgery technique in the operating room [Photo: Courtesy of Community Hospital] Surgeon Renée Cruickshank and a nurse assistant during a simulation of the endoscopic spine surgery system [Photo: Courtesy of Community Hospital] Kern Tobias (fourth from left), president of the Caribbean Union Conference and chair of Community Hospital, stands with visiting and local surgeons, along with hospital supporters. [Photo: Courtesy of Community Hospital]
Patient Success Story
The first patient to undergo the surgery was 65-year-old retired businessman Peter Samaroo, who suffered from debilitating pain for more than a year because of a herniated disk pressing on his spinal nerves. Traditional treatments offered no relief, and his condition worsened to the point that walking became difficult, he said.
After undergoing the procedure, Samaroo was discharged the following day, pain-free for the first time in months.
“The night after the surgery I got up and walked to the bathroom without pain,” Samaroo said. “It was as if I had never had surgery. The doctors and nurses were amazed.”
Endoscopic spine surgery is used to treat conditions such as chronic back pain, sciatica, herniated disks, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disk disease. Patients typically experience less postsurgical pain, quicker recovery times, and a reduced need for medication compared to traditional open spinal surgery, surgeons said.
A Milestone for the Adventist Health-Care System
Kern Tobias, chair of the hospital board and president of the Caribbean Union Conference, praised the hospital’s leadership and its dedicated workforce of more than 100 medical professionals and administrative staff for their commitment to advancing health care in the region.
“This milestone reflects the dedication of our hospital’s leadership and staff to providing high-quality, innovative health care,” Tobias said. “The introduction of endoscopic spine surgery is not just a technological advancement but a testament to our mission of wholistic healing and excellence in patient care.”
The Community Hospital’s CEO, Stephen Carryl, stated that Cruickshank will continue to perform these surgeries at the Community Hospital, alongside Anthony Hall, an endoscopic spine surgeon who travels from Miami every month to perform surgeries and see patients. Additionally, Phillip St. Louis also works at the hospital’s MIS spine surgery center, he said.
“The Community Hospital is the only hospital that does this full scope of minimally invasive surgery on the spine,” Carryl stated.
Looking Ahead
The success of these procedures underscores the Community Hospital of Seventh-day Adventists’ role as a leader in medical innovation in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean, Cruickshank said. She hopes that endoscopic spine surgery will soon be available in public hospitals, allowing more patients to benefit from this advanced treatment.
Founded in 1948 as a small clinic in Port of Spain, the Community Hospital of Seventh-day Adventists relocated to its current location in 1962. Throughout the years it has grown into a comprehensive health-care facility, offering a wide range of medical services, with a focus on compassionate care. The hospital is equipped with 40 patient beds and is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care in its mission of serving and healing.
The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division news site.