AIIMS Delhi Makes Medical History With First Fetal Spinal Surgery in India
CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India Epress / ITDC News: Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, have achieved a major breakthrough in medical science by performing India's first open fetal surgery to repair a serious congenital spinal condition in an unborn baby. The complex procedure was carried out on November 12, when the fetus was 25 weeks into gestation.
The six-hour operation was performed at the AIIMS Neurosciences Centre by a multidisciplinary team of more than 30 doctors and healthcare professionals. Led by Professor Deepak Gupta of the Department of Neurosurgery, the team operated on the fetus to repair a spinal defect caused by a condition known as myelomeningocele, a severe form of spina bifida.
A Serious Congenital Condition Myelomeningocele occurs when the spinal column does not close properly during early development, allowing the spinal cord and its protective membranes to protrude through an opening in the back. The condition can lead to nerve damage, weakness or paralysis in the legs, mobility difficulties and fluid accumulation in the brain.
Traditionally, corrective surgery is performed after birth. However, fetal surgery aims to limit further damage to exposed nerve tissue before delivery and may improve certain long-term outcomes.
Five Weeks of Preparation The operation followed more than five weeks of detailed planning, including fetal assessments, imaging, counselling and anaesthesia preparation. Advanced microscopy and continuous ultrasound monitoring were used during the procedure to help protect both the mother and the unborn child.
Doctors have cautioned that fetal surgery is not a complete cure and carries risks, including premature delivery and complications related to the uterine incision. It is therefore considered only in carefully selected cases at specialised medical centres.
The procedure was provided free of cost under the Central Government's Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram. The mother and baby will continue to receive specialist monitoring during the remainder of the pregnancy, delivery and after birth.
The achievement marks an important step forward for fetal medicine in India, expanding treatment possibilities for families facing serious congenital conditions.
