KEAT'S BLOG
4 min read
Furthering My Training on Cutting-Edge Surgical Techniques!
By Keat Ooi, Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon
Dec 2024
I’d like to share my recent whirlwind tour across the United States that was quite the adventure!
Alongside my friends and colleagues, Rudy Ambikaipalan and Avi Jey, we set out to deepen our understanding of a revolutionary minimally invasive surgical technique known as PTP (Prone Transpsoas).
First stop, Washington State.

The picturesque state of Washington provided the backdrop for our learning experience where we were able to observe this new technique being performed by Dr. Antoine Tohmeh.

The case involved a 72-year-old male suffering from mechanical back pain, bilateral leg pain, and lumbar radiculopathy caused by spinal stenosis.
Typically, a perfect candidate for a traditional posterior spinal fusion, but we were here to witness something different.
Introducing PTP (Prone Transpsoas)

PTP is a revolutionary minimally invasive surgical technique for lumbar interbody fusion. A lumbar fusion is traditionally performed using open surgery, a well-established method.
The Prone Transpsoas technique provides less invasive access to the spine through the psoas muscle when compared to traditional methods.
It involves a combination of modern surgical techniques, including keyhole surgery, state-of-the-art planning technologies, and real-time visualisation.
I was utterly transfixed watching Dr. Antoine Tohmeh perform this technique. His skill and precision showed how incredible PTP can be.





Then on to Connecticut

Our adventure landed us in Connecticut, via some airport burgers. Because, you know, even brilliant minds need to refuel with some greasy goodness!

At John Dempsey Hospital, we observed cases involving mechanical back pain and bilateral leg pain caused by spinal stenosis. Dr. Isaac Moss showcased his skills in performing PTP, followed by an enlightening case by Dr. Hardeep Singh.



A Few More Airport Burgers Later…

We continued our journey to Carlsbad, California. The sunny state welcomed us with open arms as we prepared to meet Dr. Luiz Pimenta at his lab. It was an absolute honour to be taught by Dr Pimenta.

For those of you who do not know, Dr. Luiz Pimenta is known as the father of lateral fusion surgery, and he also pioneered the use of PTP. This was an extraordinary opportunity to delve deeper into the intricacies of the technique.
In the Lab
In the lab, we had a collaborative hands-on experience focusing on understanding anatomical landmarks and safe surgical approaches.
The practical insights we gained from the hands-on experience were invaluable in reinforcing our theoretical knowledge.

The Trip Was a Great Success!
Despite the exhaustive hours of travel, the experience and knowledge gained were beyond measure. Reflecting on the journey, one thing is crystal clear – I think I’m over hamburgers.

Stay Tuned!
This trip was just the beginning. I plan to write an in-depth article on the PTP procedure soon. So stay tuned for more insights into this fascinating minimally invasive technique. The future of spinal surgery looks incredibly promising, and I’m excited to share this journey with you.

Keat Ooi is a practicing spine surgeon based in Melbourne, Australia. He has a passion for health education and improving the lives of his patients.
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**Disclaimer: I am not a qualified dietitian but a surgeon sharing personal experiences in weight loss and healthy living. Always consult a healthcare professional for tailored advice.**
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