An unusual deformity in the neck region of a 21-year-old youth has been set right after a marathon nine-hour surgical procedure in a city hospital.

The patient, G.Vigneshkumar of Tiruchengode had come to K G Hopsital with severe pain in the neck and back, its Chairman, Dr G Bhakthavathsalam said.

The patient was keeping the head in a tilted position and his mobility and normal activity were greatly hampered.

As the patient did not take it seriously the pain in the neck and the back worsened to the level of almost immobilizing him for the last three months, he said.

The examination by orthopaedic and spine surgeons indicated the need for an immediate surgical intervention.

The operation was done under special sedative condition called “total intravenous anaesthesia.” A hip bone graft was done, besides the insertion of a metallic rod secured with eight screws, to straighten the deformed neck portion.

The marathon procedure took 9 hours to complete and Vigneshkumar can now now sit and walk erect, he said.

Vigneshkumar is now put under rehabilitation and in another three months, the patient can resume his normal activity and even play outdoor games, Bhakathavathsalam said.