Pioneering procedures bring advanced spinal surgery techniques to the Northern Cape through South African and international collaboration.

KIMBERLEY, SOUTH AFRICA – Kimberley has marked a significant milestone in specialist healthcare, with a surgical team reporting the first trans-Kambin Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLLIF) procedures to be performed on the African continent.

The first procedure took place at Lenmed Royal Hospital and Heart Centre, followed by procedures at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital. The achievement brought together South African surgical expertise, international knowledge-sharing and advanced minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques in the Northern Cape.

The procedures were jointly performed by Dr Antony Thomas, Dr Tayo Sulaiman and Prof Aftab Younus. United States-based neurosurgeon Prof Hamid Reza Abbasi attended as an observer and provided educational guidance, sharing his experience in the OLLIF technique with the local surgical team.

The collaboration was associated with the Avicenna Society South Africa Chapter and reflects a shared commitment to advancing specialist surgical skills and broadening access to innovative healthcare techniques in South Africa.

Advancing spinal surgery in the Northern Cape

OLLIF is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to stabilise the lower spine and promote fusion between affected vertebrae. The procedure involves accessing the damaged disc through a small incision, using a carefully selected anatomical route, and inserting a specialised spinal cage with bone graft material.

Compared with traditional open spinal fusion, minimally invasive approaches aim to reduce disruption to surrounding muscles and tissues. Published studies have reported potential benefits such as reduced blood loss, shorter operating times and shorter hospital stays. However, OLLIF remains a significant surgical procedure, and its suitability, risks and likely outcomes must be assessed for each patient.

The introduction of the technique in Kimberley represents an opportunity to strengthen local expertise, support specialist training and expand the range of treatment options available to appropriately selected patients closer to home.

Years of training and collaboration

For Dr Antony Thomas, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital and practicing neurosurgeon at Royal Hospital and Heart Centre, bringing the technique to South Africa has been the culmination of sustained effort and specialist training.

Dr Thomas first learnt the OLLIF procedure under general anaesthesia from Prof Abbasi in Germany on 3 July 2023. In July 2026, he travelled to Bareilly, India, where he trained with Dr Varun Agrawal and Prof Abbasi, learning to perform the procedure with the patient awake.

“I already perform awake transforaminal discectomy,” said Dr Thomas. “This is the next level. Now we can place a cage and fuse the patient’s spine.”

The procedures reflect the importance of continued professional development and international collaboration in bringing specialised surgical techniques into local practice.

The wider team included Dr Petrie Jansen van Vuuren, specialist anaesthesiologist with the Royal Anaesthesia Group at Lenmed Royal Hospital and Heart Centre, who provided specialist anaesthetic care, and Dr Nico Schuman, consultant anaesthetist and Acting Head of Anaesthesia at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, who led the anaesthetic team for the procedure at that hospital.

Prof Aftab Younus, Clinical Head of the Spine Unit at Helen Joseph Hospital, and Dr Tayo Sulaiman, an orthopaedic and spinal surgeon based in Cape Town, contributed their specialist expertise to the surgical collaboration. Prof Younus also has an established role in training surgeons in endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal techniques.

Prof Abbasi’s participation further supported the exchange of knowledge between international and South African specialists. His experience in OLLIF and his involvement in surgical education helped underpin the training and knowledge-sharing associated with the Kimberley procedures.

Local innovation with continental significance

The achievement also highlights the role of local enterprise in supporting medical innovation. Mzanzi Spine, a Kimberley-based company and South African distributor of the specialised spinal cages used in this OLLIF technique, contributed to bringing the technology into local surgical practice.

The collaboration demonstrates how specialist clinical expertise, international education and locally based medical suppliers can work together to support the development of advanced healthcare in the Northern Cape.

By establishing experience with this technique in Kimberley, the surgical team aims to contribute to the continued development of minimally invasive spinal surgery in South Africa and to future opportunities for training and knowledge-sharing across the continent.

Acknowledgement and appreciation

The surgical team extends its sincere appreciation to all those whose support and expertise made the procedures possible.

At Lenmed Royal Hospital and Heart Centre, special thanks go to Mr Jan Scheepers, Hospital Manager; Mr Willem Barnes, Theatre Manager; Mrs Rachel Shuping, Scrub Nurse; Sr C. Kolonzi and Sr Ngono, Circulating Nurses; the radiographers from NC Radiology; and the theatre and allied health teams.

At Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, the team acknowledges Dr Nico Schuman, the Neurosurgical Department and its theatre team. Appreciation is also extended to the Northern Cape Department of Health for its contribution and support.

The Kimberley milestone represents an important step in the development of minimally invasive spinal surgery in the region. Through collaboration, education and a shared commitment to patient care, the participating specialists hope to help advance surgical knowledge and expand access to appropriate specialist treatment in South Africa.

About Lenmed Royal Hospital and Heart Centre

Lenmed Royal Hospital and Heart Centre is a multidisciplinary private healthcare facility in Kimberley, Northern Cape, providing a comprehensive range of medical and surgical services. Its specialist services include cardiology, oncology, intensive care, maternity and paediatric care, supported by a 24-hour emergency unit. As part of the Lenmed Group, the hospital is committed to delivering quality healthcare and advancing patient care through specialist expertise, modern technology and compassionate service.

About Lenmed

Lenmed is a leading private healthcare provider committed to delivering quality, patient-centred care across its network of hospitals and specialised healthcare services. Through clinical excellence, innovation, and compassionate care, Lenmed continues to improve health outcomes for the communities it serves. Lenmed currently operates in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. For more information on the Group and Royal Hospital and Heart Centre, visit our website www.lenmed.com

For media inquiries, please contact:

Group Marketing and Communications Manager
Michelle Naidoo
Michelle.naidoo@lenmed.co.za