IGMH Introduces Nano Needle Surgery to Advance Joint Care in Maldives

Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and Dharumavantha Hospital have introduced nano arthroscopy surgery to the Maldives, marking a significant shift in how joint trauma and internal joint complications are treated. The procedure utilizes a 'nano needle'—an ultra-thin, flexible camera—to examine and treat joints through a minute puncture, requiring far smaller incisions than traditional arthroscopic methods. Dr. Ismail Zahir, an orthopaedics physician, described the technology as a profound advancement for diagnostic precision. The injection-needle-thin camera allows surgeons to navigate extremely confined anatomical spaces to directly visualize cartilage deterioration, bone growth, and ligament damage. This capability enables clinicians to establish a confident clinical diagnosis, often removing the necessity for an MRI. The adoption of this technology also brings substantial benefits to patient recovery and perioperative care. Dr. Asadh Mohamed Shaheed of the anaesthesiology department noted that the procedure simplifies anaesthesia requirements and improves pain management, which is particularly critical for patients who are severely ill or have complex medical histories. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, the recovery period is significantly shortened. Dr. Asadh highlighted that the duration of hospitalization is reduced, allowing many of these interventions to be managed as outpatient day-care procedures. This transition provides greater functional convenience for patients, allowing them to return home and begin rehabilitation sooner. This latest innovation follows the introduction of 4K arthroscopic cameras in October, which provided four times greater visual clarity. As a teaching institution, IGMH continues to integrate these high-resolution tools to enhance the training and educational experience for medical students entering the field of orthopaedics.