New Delhi: In a major medical milestone, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, have successfully repaired a severe spinal defect in a 25-week-old fetus through India’s first open fetal surgery.
The six-hour operation was performed on November 12 at the AIIMS Neurosciences Centre to treat lumbosacral myelomeningocele, a severe form of spina bifida in which the spinal cord and its protective coverings protrude through an opening in the spine, causing cerebrospinal fluid leakage.
The multidisciplinary team spent more than five weeks preparing for the procedure. Over 30 doctors and nurses from various departments participated in the surgery, which was carried out using advanced microscopy and continuous ultrasound guidance.
According to AIIMS, the condition can cause paralysis, hydrocephalus and long-term neurological disabilities. Doctors clarified that the procedure is suitable only for carefully selected pregnancies and is not a substitute for measures to prevent neural tube defects.
The mother and fetus will be monitored throughout pregnancy, delivery and the neonatal period. The surgery was performed free of cost under the Centre’s Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram.
