Salerno, record-breaking neurosurgery at the "Ruggi" hospital: Luca walks again after spinal cord tumor removal.

It's a story of science, courage, and hope that comes from the University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona" in Salerno.

Here, in the Neurosurgery Clinic directed by Professor Giorgio Iaconetta, a highly complex operation changed the life of Luca* (a fictitious name to protect the patient's privacy), 55, who had been confined to a wheelchair for months due to a very rare intramedullary tumor.

The tumor, a dorsal epidermoid cyst, belongs to the category of dysembryogenetic neoplasms, extremely rare and difficult to treat. The mass, which had been compressing the spinal cord and progressively compromising motor function, was completely removed thanks to a neurosurgical procedure performed with a level of precision and technology among the most advanced available today.

A textbook intervention

The operation was coordinated by Dr. Nicola Narciso, a neurosurgeon with a high specialty in Spinal Neurosurgery, who, together with his team, planned the surgical strategy down to the smallest detail.

The chosen approach was microsurgical, with the aim of preserving healthy neurological structures as much as possible.

The operating room employed cutting-edge technologies: from scalpels and ultrasound aspirators to intraoperative multiparametric neurophysiological monitoring, tools that allowed surgeons to operate safely even during the most delicate phases of removal.

The results were immediate: at the end of the surgery, Luca demonstrated recovery of his compromised neurological functions, a sign that foreshadowed the clinical success later confirmed in the post-operative phase. Within a few days, the patient was back on his feet and walking again.

The voice of the protagonists

"This result," explains Dr. Nicola Narciso, "is the fruit of careful planning, targeted technical choices, and the integrated use of the best available technologies. Our priority was to preserve neurological functions: seeing the patient recover and regain independence is the greatest satisfaction for the entire team."

The success, emphasizes Ciro Verdoliva, general manager of the "Ruggi" hospital, represents much more than an extraordinary clinical case: "It's not just a successful operation," he comments, "but a story of rebirth. When a patient walks again thanks to the work of a multidisciplinary team, it means that public healthcare works. It's concrete proof that the daily commitment of our professionals yields top-notch results."

A tradition of excellence

The Ruggi Neurosurgery Clinic boasts extensive experience in the treatment of spinal cord tumors. In particular, the Spine Surgery department is a national reference point, performing over 300 procedures annually for degenerative, traumatic, and oncological conditions of the spine and spinal cord.

A wealth of expertise and technology that allows us to address even the rarest and most complex cases, like Luca's, transforming a dramatic diagnosis into a chance for rebirth.

From diagnosis to recovery, Luca's journey thus becomes a symbol of effective healthcare: one that combines expertise, innovation, and humanity, restoring not only health but also the dignity and hope of a normal life.