An 800-gram, 25-week-old fetus underwent fetoscopic surgery to correct spina bifida at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC). This minimally invasive procedure, which took 90 minutes, was a significant medical achievement.
Spina bifida is a congenital condition where the spine and spinal cord do not form properly, leaving a gap. This occurs when the membranes around the spinal cord fail to close during early pregnancy, potentially causing neurological issues and long-term disabilities.
In the fetoscopic surgery, a tiny camera and small instruments were inserted through small incisions in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. This method allows the surgical team to operate with precision through the small openings. The instruments and camera were used to access the fetus and repair the spinal defect.
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Repairing the spine before birth can reduce complications, improving the baby’s chances of walking and enhancing their quality of life.
The surgeons made only three incisions, each three millimeters wide, to perform the procedure with precision and minimal invasiveness. This technique speeds up recovery, lowers complication risks, and maintains a safe uterine environment. After the successful repair, the Seha Corniche Hospital team securely closed the abdomen, allowing the pregnancy to proceed safely until the scheduled delivery.
This achievement, part of the Visiting Physicians Programme by the Department of Health, underscores Abu Dhabi’s role as a global leader in healthcare innovation and quality.
The Visiting Physicians Programme fosters knowledge exchange and collaboration with top medical experts worldwide.
Dr. Adel Ali Al Junaibi, Consultant Pediatric Surgeon at Seha SKMC, stated, “Prenatal spina bifida repair greatly improves long-term outcomes, reducing paralysis risks and neurological issues while minimizing the need for post-birth surgeries. Early intervention gives the child a better chance for independent mobility and an active life.”
Dr. Werner Gerhard Diehl, Consultant in Fetal Medicine at Seha Corniche Hospital, added, “Fetoscopic spina bifida repair, performed before birth, corrects the defect, enhancing mobility and reducing neurological risks without increasing maternal risk. This procedure demands exceptional precision, extensive planning, training, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
At the Fetal Medicine Centre at Seha Corniche Hospital, we have conducted over 500 therapeutic interventions, achieving outcomes that meet global standards and positioning us as leaders in fetal care in the UAE and the region.”
