Dr. Venkata RamaKrishna Tukkapuram

OP Timings:

About:

Dr Venkata Rama Krishna, an esteemed Spine Surgeon renowned for his exceptional skills and expertise in complex Spine Surgeries. With a stellar educational background and over 13 years of dedicated experience, he stands at the forefront of advancements in Spinal care. Holding an MBBS and MS in Orthopaedics, he further honed his proficiency through international fellowships in Japan and Bangalore (AO Spine Centre).

He is the current Head of Spine Surgery at Arete Hospitals, Hyderabad, demonstrating leadership and commitment to patient well-being. His extensive list of publications and presentations reflects his commitment to advancing Spinal healthcare. His holistic approach, coupled with a focus on minimally invasive techniques and Kyphoscoliosis correction, underscores his dedication to providing the highest standard of care. Patients can trust Dr Venkata Rama Krishna's expertise and compassionate approach for optimal outcomes in Spine health.

• MBBS, N.T.R University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences (2002 – 2007)
• MS (Orthopaedics), Vinayaka Mission University, AVMC (2011 – 2014)
• Fellowship (Spinal Deformity), Hokkaido Medical Centre, Japan
• Fellowship (Complex Spine Surgery), Sakra World Hospital (AO Spine Centre), Bangalore

Experience:

• HOD (Spine Surgery), Arete Hospitals, Hyderabad (May 2023 – Present)
• Chief Consultant (Spine Surgeon), Yashoda Hospital, Malakpet (December 2018 – April 2023)
• Faculty (AO Spine Centre), Sakra World Hospital, Bangalore (June 2018 - December 2018)
• Clinical Fellow (Spine Surgery), Hokkaido Medical Centre, Japan (March 2018 - May 2018)
• Fellow (Spine Surgery), Sakra World Hospital, Bangalore (June 2016 - June 2018)
• Institute of Spine, Apollo BGS Hospital, Mysore (June 2014 - May 2016)

Focus Services & Treatment:

• Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgeries and Microsurgeries
• Treatment of Spinal Deformity (Kyphoscoliosis Correction)
• Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty
• Spinal Stabilisation
• Cervical, Anterior and Posterior Procedures
• Navigation/O- arm and Electrophysiology assisted Complex Spine Surgeries
• CVJ Anomalies
• Spinal Infections and Tumours

Special Interests/ Expertise:

• Complex Spine Surgeries
• Kyphoscoliosis Correction

Professional Membership:

• Member of Spine Surgeons of India
• Member of AO Spine
• Member of Twin Cities Spine Surgeons Association

Publications:

• Chander VS, Govindasamy R, Tukkapuram VR, Gopal S, Rudrappa S. Multidisciplinary Management of Primary Sacral Tumours: A Tertiary Care Centre’s Experience and Literature Review. Asian Spine J. 2022 Aug;16(4):567-582. 
• Tukkapuram VR, Kuniyoshi A, Ito M. A Review of the Historical Evolution, Biomechanical Advantage, Clinical Applications, and Safe Insertion Techniques of Cervical Pedicle Screw Fixation. Spine Surg Relat Res. 2018 Oct 10;3(2):126-135. 
• Masapu D, Rudrappa S, Ramakrishna T V, Manjunath M, Kumar S, Srinivas D. Intraoperative Spinal Cord Pulsations: A Good Sign or a Disaster Waiting to Happen? J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2019 Jan;31(1):84-85. 
• Rudrappa S, Tukkapuram VR, Govindasamy R. Partial Sacrectomy for Sacral Chordomas: A Surgical Perspective. J Spinal Surg 2018; 5 (1):29-35.
• Rudrappa, S., Govindasamy, R., Tukkapuram, V. R., & Gopal, S. (2018). Lumbar Pseudomeningocele presenting as decerebrate rigidity—A rare case entity. International Journal of Surgery Case Reports,47, 41-44. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2018.04.014
• Minimally invasive TLIF chapter - Lumbar Interbody Fusion Pearls and Pitfalls – Thieme publication 2019
• Tukkapuram VR, Rudrappa S, Shabadi VK, Masapu D, Kumar S. Sacral Ewing's tumour: Use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for preoperative cytoreduction of the tumour. Neurol India 2018;66:249-51
• Vijaykumar S., Tukkapuram V, (2016) Congenital scoliosis due to hemivertebra: A review of literature and management strategies International Journal of Current Research Vol. 8, Issue, 12, pp.44330-44340
• Alkaptonuric patient presenting with Black Disc and Multiple Schmorl’s Nodes. Article ICJR. DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/2609
• Posterior Hypoplastic C1 Arch with Neurological Deficits – A Case Report. IJSR. ISSN: 2319-7064
• Tukkapuram V, Rudrappa S, Nikunj G. (2016) Reconciling Life after Spinal Cord Injury – “Role of Spinal Disability Support Group”, in International Journal of Current Research Vol. International Journal of Current Research 8, Issue, 12, pp.43019-43020
• Cervical Laminoforaminotomy chapter in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery - Dr Kulkarni’s book
• Primary Bony Spinal Tumours Management – Dr Ramani’s Instructional Text Book

 Publications:

• Presented Cervical Pedicle Screw Fixation technique video presentation as a faculty speaker in NSSA, Kochi 2019
• Role of IONM in complex Spine Surgeries – 2019 – Faculty speaker – IONM conference. Yashoda Hospital – Secunderabad
• Preserving S1 in Sacral Tumours – A Single Centre Study – OASISCON – 2018
• PJK and DJK – Prevention in ADS – Japanese Orthopaedic Association – 25th may 2018
• Preoperative Planning in Adult Spinal Deformity – GSC Singapore - 5th May 2018
• Podium Presentation of “use of dynamic MRI in decision making in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy” APSS Goa 2017
• Poster Presentation – Recurrent Stroke in Young – Dynamic DSA, the diagnosis clincher
• Sacral Ewing's Tumour- Use of Preoperative Chemotherapy for Cytoreduction
• Podium Presentation of Complex Type 2 Odontoid Fractures – “Our Management” at Global Spine Congress 2017 – Milan, Italy
• Podium Presentation “Trans-oral Manipulation and Anterior Screw Fixation in Complex Type 2 Odontoid Fractures”. ASSICON 2017 Hyderabad
• Paper Presentation at NSSA, 2016 Kolkata on “Complex Type 2 Odontoid Fractures – Our Management”
• Minimally Invasive Lumbar Tlif Surgeries without use of Dedicated Percutaneous Implant System - A Feasibility Study at SpineWeek 2016 Singapore on 16th may 2016
• Interesting case presentation in Spine, C1 Hypoplastic posterior arch and black disc in Ochronosis (sent for publication) at Mysore Orthopaedic Surgeons trust meeting and Apollo CME
• KOACON 2015 - Spinal Manifestation in Alkaptonuric Patients- A Case Report
• KOACON 2015 - Posterior C1 Hypoplastic Arch - A Case Report
• POACON - Paper Presentation- Outcome of Tibial Plateau Fractures in Internal Fixation
• KOACON - Paper Presentation - MIPPO in Proximal Tibial Fractures