Head of Department
Do Cong Thuong
Department of Neurosurgery
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Department of Neurosurgery
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Neurosurgery – Tra Vinh General Hospital was established on 02/09/2017, separated from the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, under the leadership of Specialist Doctor Grade II Do Cong Thuong. This was an important step forward, meeting the need for specialization in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological, cranial and spinal conditions in the province. Through its development, the department has steadily strengthened its team, enhanced its professional capacity, expanded its range of techniques and become one of the hospital's key specialty units.
The department's function is to examine, diagnose, treat and care for patients with neurosurgical conditions, including cranial and brain disorders, traumatic brain injury, spinal and spinal cord disorders and other neurological conditions requiring surgical intervention. In addition to inpatient and emergency care, the department works closely with other specialties and the Emergency, Diagnostic Imaging, Anesthesiology and Rehabilitation departments to build a comprehensive, safe and effective patient care process.
Within the hospital's medical services, the Department of Neurosurgery is responsible for receiving and treating cases of neurosurgical emergencies and neurological and spinal conditions requiring surgery, helping to enhance specialized treatment capacity at the provincial level. The department has progressively mastered many complex techniques such as spinal decompression and fusion, microsurgery for brain and spinal cord tumors, ventricular drainage, surgery for head and spinal trauma, and minimally invasive C-arm-guided interventions.
The department serves a diverse range of patients, from those with acute trauma to those with neurological, brain, spinal cord and spinal conditions requiring medical or surgical treatment. In particular, the department helps reduce the need for referrals for conditions that can be treated with specialized care locally.
In addition to clinical work, the department focuses on training, scientific research and professional collaboration, fostering a working environment built on a spirit of dedication – solidarity – learning and innovation. Going forward, the department aims to develop into a specialized center for neurological and spinal disorders, with the values of safety, precision, effectiveness and compassion as its foundation, contributing to improving the quality of healthcare for the people of Tra Vinh province and the region.
PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS
- Cranial and emergency neurosurgery: Examination, diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury, intracranial hemorrhage, raised intracranial pressure, hydrocephalus and brain conditions requiring surgery; performing emergency surgery, decompression and ventricular drainage.
- Brain tumors – spinal cord tumors and space-occupying lesions: Treatment of brain tumors, spinal cord tumors and lesions compressing the central nervous system, applying microsurgical techniques to control lesions and preserve neurological function.
- Spine and spinal cord: Examination and treatment of disc herniation, spinal stenosis, degeneration, spinal instability, spinal cord/nerve root compression and spinal and spinal cord injuries; performing decompression, fixation and spinal fusion.
- Minimally invasive spine surgery and C-arm-guided interventions: Using C-arm for surgical localization and control; deploying minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of spinal disorders, helping reduce soft tissue damage and support early recovery.
- Spinal pain and radicular syndromes: Assessment and treatment of neck pain, low back pain, sciatica, and pain due to disc herniation and nerve root compression, with strategies ranging from conservative care and rehabilitation to intervention and surgery.
- Coordinated treatment and comprehensive care: Coordinating Emergency – Diagnostic Imaging – Anesthesiology – Intensive Care – Rehabilitation in managing severe illness, emergencies and post-operative care; while developing training, scientific research, professional collaboration and technology transfer.
TRAINING & RESEARCH
- Undergraduate and postgraduate training: Participating in mentoring and training Tra Vinh University medical students, doctors and healthcare staff in Neurosurgery, Cranial and Spinal Surgery; providing an environment for clinical practice and updating professional techniques.
- Continuing education: Organizing and participating in medical knowledge updates, workshops, regular scientific meetings and on-site training, focusing on the diagnosis, emergency care, surgery and care of neurosurgical patients.
- Lower-level facility support: Providing professional support to lower-level healthcare facilities in the diagnosis, initial management, emergency care and referral of neurological – cranial – spinal conditions;
- Technology transfer: Progressively receiving, deploying and developing advanced neurosurgical techniques from Cho Ray Hospital, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, People's Hospital 115, etc., particularly in spine surgery, traumatic brain injury, microsurgery for brain and spinal cord tumors, ventricular drainage and C-arm- and Navigation-assisted techniques.
- Scientific research: Conducting and participating in scientific research projects, professional reports and innovation initiatives at all levels, focusing on cranial, spinal and spinal cord disorders and improving treatment effectiveness.
- Domestic and international professional collaboration: Maintaining and expanding collaboration with hospitals, universities, experts and specialized units to exchange experience, keep up with technical advances, train personnel and develop specialized fields.
- Professional capacity development: doctors and staff regularly attend conferences, workshops, specialized training and clinical experience exchanges, building a culture of continuous learning and evidence-based medical practice.
EQUIPMENT
1 | C-arm fluoroscopy unit | A mobile image-intensifier X-ray device providing real-time X-ray imaging, helping doctors precisely locate lesions, check instrument positions and guide surgery/interventions, especially in spine surgery and orthopedic trauma. |
2 | Leica surgical microscope | A surgical microscope system providing magnified images with high resolution and illumination, allowing surgeons to clearly see nerve structures and small blood vessels, supporting microsurgery for brain and spinal cord tumors and delicate neurosurgical procedures with high precision. |
3 | Navigation system | A surgical navigation system that precisely determines the location of lesions and the surgical approach in 3D space, helping surgeons localize neural structures and plan and guide surgery, especially in brain tumor, spinal and complex lesion surgery. |
STAFF
The department currently has a highly experienced workforce, including:
- 02 Specialist Doctors Grade II (CKII), 01 PhD, 02 Specialist Doctors Grade I (CKI), 01 doctor pursuing a Master's degree, 01 doctor pursuing Specialist Grade I (CKI) training, 05 medical doctors (MD)
- 18 nurses (09 with a bachelor's degree and 09 with a college diploma).
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