The delicate prenatal operation took place on November 12 and required a multidisciplinary team of more than 30 clinicians and nurses. Operating before birth helps lessen hindbrain herniation and reduces the infant's likelihood of needing post-birth cerebrospinal fluid shunts. However, medical specialists cautioned that the procedure carries serious hazards, including preterm delivery, premature labor, infections, and uterine scarring. Following this initial success, AIIMS is moving to establish a structured fetal-care programme to broaden access.
Key points
Prenatal intervention significantly reduces the need for infants to undergo cerebrospinal…: Prenatal intervention significantly reduces the need for infants to undergo cerebrospinal fluid shunt placements after birth.
Strict patient selection remains vital because the surgical process poses major threats s…: Strict patient selection remains vital because the surgical process poses major threats such as premature labor and uterine complications.
AIIMS plans to build a structured fetal-care programme to provide safe, accessible prenat…: AIIMS plans to build a structured fetal-care programme to provide safe, accessible prenatal repairs for eligible families.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
The six-hour procedure was performed on November 12 at the AIIMS Neurosciences Centre to treat myelomeningocele, the most severe form of spina bifida.
The condition occurs when an opening in the baby's spine allows the spinal cord and its coverings to protrude, leaving the nerves exposed to progressive damage, according to the report.
Both the mother and the foetus were stable and recovering well after the surgery, Dr K Aparna Sharma of the maternal-foetal medicine team told the newspaper.
The procedure aims to protect the exposed spinal cord from further injury during the remainder of the pregnancy. Children born with myelomeningocele can suffer from paralysis, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and hydrocephalus, which may require additional surgery.
Professor Deepak Gupta, who led the neurosurgical team, told TOI in the report, that prenatal repair could reduce hindbrain herniation and the need for treatment of hydrocephalus in carefully selected cases. It could also improve early lower-limb function and the chances of independent walking. However, he cautioned that the procedure was not a cure.
The benefits of prenatal repair were highlighted in the landmark…
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