Baby operated on while in the womb, then returned to the uterus

A pioneering operation has been performed at the Ministry of Health Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital. 

Şeyma Hisar went to a health center for a routine check-up during the 16th week of her pregnancy. An ultrasound scan revealed that the fetus had 'spina bifida,' a condition known as 'split spine.' 

Doctors informed the family that if the baby were born with this condition, it could lead to problems such as an inability to walk, incontinence, and hydrocephalus (fluid accumulation in the brain), and that surgery was necessary. Subsequently, the mother, Şeyma Hisar, was referred to the Ministry of Health Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital for treatment.

Following examinations, it was decided to operate on the baby while still in the womb. The 23rd week of pregnancy was awaited for the procedure, which was performed for the first time in Turkey. 

During the operation, led by Obstetrics and Gynecology Perinatology Specialist Prof. Dr. Esra Esim Büyükbayrak and her team, the mother's uterus was accessed through a 3-centimeter incision. The baby was then operated on. 

After the procedure, the uterus was placed back into position. The mother was discharged following the highly successful operation. It was stated that the surgery increases the likelihood of the baby being able to walk by 2-3 times compared to postnatal intervention.

UTERUS REMOVED FOR PROCEDURE

Providing information about the operation, which was performed for the first time in a public hospital, Prof. Dr. Esra Esim Büyükbayrak stated, "Normally, a baby's spine should close while in the womb. When this does not happen for various reasons, the spinal cord remains exposed. This is called spina bifida. It is diagnosed by obstetricians via ultrasound. Then, the patient needs to be referred to us in a timely manner. Babies diagnosed with this condition face issues such as an inability to walk, incontinence, and fluid accumulation in the brain. Because they cannot urinate, they also experience kidney problems and become chronic care patients. Until now, in traditional treatment, the baby was operated on after birth, or the family was given the option to terminate the pregnancy. Now, the option of surgery in the womb is also being offered."

'I COULD NOT SLEEP FROM EXCITEMENT'

Emphasizing that the outcomes for babies operated on in the womb are much better compared to those operated on after birth, Prof. Dr. Büyükbayrak said, "We increase the probability of being able to walk by 2-3 times and the probability of being able to control urination by 4 times. We cannot promise a complete cure. Therefore, for families who do not want to terminate their pregnancy, the results of surgery in the womb are more successful than postnatal surgery. With the surgery, the baby is saved from severe nerve damage. To perform the operation, we remove the uterus through a 3-centimeter incision, operate on the baby, close it back up, and put it back. I couldn't sleep for a week before the surgery out of excitement. It is technically very difficult. We are implementing this free of charge in our country by reporting it within the Social Security Institution (SGK) system. The family does not pay a single penny. We are the only center performing this surgery in a public institution."

'A DIFFICULT SURGERY PERFORMED SUCCESSFULLY'

Mother Şeyma Hisar said, "I am currently in the 24th week of my pregnancy. May God be pleased with our professors. Thanks to their care and skill, this difficult surgery was performed successfully. I hope everything will be well after the birth as well."

'A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND FEATURE'

Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca, in a post on his social media account regarding the successful surgery, stated, "Both the mother and the baby are lucky. The surgery was performed without waiting for birth. The surgical application is a first in our country. We congratulate our team at Pendik Training and Research Hospital."