Adventist Hospital in Jamaica Performs First Lumbar Disc Replacement in English Caribbean

First-of-its-kind procedure highlights Andrews Hospital’s commitment to world-class healthcare.

April 23, 2025 | Kingston, Jamaica | Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher and Inter-American Division News

In a groundbreaking medical milestone for Jamaica and the wider English-speaking Caribbean, Andrews Memorial Hospital Limited (AMH) successfully performed the region’s first lumbar disc replacement surgery on April 11, 2025, marking a significant advancement in regional spinal healthcare.

Dr. J. Geoffrey Liburd, chief of neurosurgery at AMH, led the pioneering surgery. Liburd is a specialist neurosurgeon and spinal surgeon trained at the University of the West Indies, Leeds General Infirmary in the UK, and Yale University in the United States. Liburd, who hails from St. Kitts and Nevis, described the case as a success.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), and Johns Hopkins Medicine, “Intervertebral discs act as cushions between the spinal vertebrae, facilitating movement and absorbing shock. Over time, or due to injury or occupational stress, these discs can degenerate or become damaged, causing back pain, leg pain, weakness, or loss of mobility. While conservative treatments like physical therapy often help, surgery may be necessary in some cases.”

To address this, Liburd’s approach with his patient was to replace the damaged disc with an artificial implant, thereby preserving natural spinal motion.

Disc replacement is not a new occurrence for AMH or Liburd. Several cases of cervical disc replacements have been successfully done at AMH and in the eastern Caribbean region by Liburd. However, this lumbar disc replacement is the first in Jamaica and the English-Speaking Caribbean.

“This procedure has been used safely and effectively in countries like the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia since its introduction in the 1990s and is now being offered right here in Jamaica,” said Liburd.

The surgery was a collaborative effort between local and international medical professionals. Key members of the team included Dr. Andy Redmond, a Yale-trained neurosurgeon from St. Kitts and Nevis currently practicing in Texas; neurosurgeons Dr. Dwaine Cooke and Dr. Ronette Goodluck-Tyndall; general surgeon Dr. Cherian Cherian; cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Joseph Blidgen, who served as an access surgeon; anesthetist Dr. Jason Toppin; and U.S.-based medical representative Mr. Corey Harbold, who provided technical support. Operating room support was provided by nurses Renita Hoo-Fatt, Sabrina Boswell, Shanique Johnson-Ferguson, Samuel Aroche, and Ricardo Samuels.

“We’ve done dozens of these in the United States and we are proud to help bring this capability to Jamaica,” noted Dr. Redman.

In speaking to the quality of the product, Dr. Liburd revealed, “The artificial disc used in the procedure is the FDA-approved Prodisc-L artificial disc, which is reported to be the most studied and clinically proven total disc replacement technology in the world.”

He further added, “In the instant case, the patient was walking pain-free within two days post-surgery, and we anticipate a favorable transition into normalcy in a short time.”

The surgery represents a significant step forward in Jamaica’s healthcare capabilities, reducing the need for patients to travel overseas for advanced spinal treatment, said Liburd.

Liburd further explained that the implant used in the procedure was manufactured by Centinel Spine, a USA-based spinal implant company and distributed in Jamaica by Platinum Pro Medical Services Limited, its exclusive distribution partner in the Caribbean.

“This historic procedure is a testament to our mission of delivering world-class, compassionate care right here in Jamaica,” said Mr. Donmayne Gyles, President and CEO of Andrews Memorial Hospital. He further noted that AMH will continue to offer this and other ground-breaking health care initiatives, with ongoing investments in staff training and surgical technology already underway.

“We are grateful to our surgical team, international collaborators, and Platinum Pro Medical for helping us realize this vision. Most importantly, we are thankful to God for guiding this effort,” said Gayles. “With our operating facilities and a strong clinical team, we are charting a new course for advanced medical care as part of AMH’s journey toward becoming a High Reliability Healthcare institution in the Caribbean.”