A medical team at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi has performed India's first open foetal surgery to repair a severe spinal birth defect known as myelomeningocele. The six-hour procedure took place on November 12 at the hospital’s Neurosciences Centre, involving a foetus at 25 weeks of pregnancy.
Myelomeningocele, the most severe form of spina bifida, occurs when the neural tube fails to close during the first month of pregnancy. This results in an opening in the spine that allows the spinal cord and its protective coverings to protrude, exposing nerves to ongoing damage. According to doctors, the condition can lead to lifelong issues including paralysis, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and hydrocephalus.
The surgical team, consisting of over 30 professionals including neurosurgeons, obstetricians, anaesthetists, and specialists in maternal-foetal medicine, radiology, and neonatology, required five weeks of preparation. The procedure involved opening the mother’s uterus under controlled conditions to close the baby’s spinal defect in layers. Both the mother and the foetus are currently stable and recovering well.
Dr. Deepak Gupta, who led the neurosurgical team, emphasized that the intervention is not a cure. However, he noted that prenatal repair can reduce the need for shunts to treat hydrocephalus and improve early motor outcomes for the child. The surgery was provided free of cost to the family under the government’s Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).
Key facts
- The surgery was performed on November 12 at the AIIMS Neurosciences Centre.
- More than 30 clinicians and nurses participated in the procedure.
- The operation targeted lumbosacral myelomeningocele at 25 weeks of gestation.
- The procedure was provided free of cost through the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram.
Why it matters
International studies, including the 2012 Management of Myelomeningocele (MOMS) trial, indicate that prenatal intervention can significantly lower the incidence of hydrocephalus and Chiari malformation. AIIMS officials stated that they plan to develop a structured, long-term foetal care programme to make such complex interventions accessible to more families across India.
Background
A dedicated foetal surgery programme was first envisaged at AIIMS in 2012 following the release of the MOMS trial results, which demonstrated the comparative benefits of prenatal repair over traditional surgery performed after birth.
Source: Economic Times, Indian Express
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