Dr. Mandeep Singh, an Indian-origin fetal medicine expert, led a team of doctors in the UAE to successfully perform a complex in-utero spina bifida repair surgery on a pregnant patient from South America.
This groundbreaking procedure, performed at The Burjeel Medical City Hospital in Abu Dhabi, involved repairing a spinal defect in a 24-week gestation baby.
Spina bifida is a birth defect where the bones of the spine do not form correctly, leading to permanent disability and potential complications such as loss of bladder control, paralysis, or weakness of lower limb muscles.
Dr. Mandeep Singh aims to collaborate with institutes and specialists in India to increase accessibility to advanced treatments like in-utero spina bifida repair, eliminating the need for patients to travel abroad.
The procedure involves making a small incision on the uterus, exposing the baby’s back to close the spina bifida defect using a synthetic patch. The baby remains in the womb until delivery via cesarean section at 37 weeks gestation.
In-utero spina bifida repair is a cutting-edge treatment available at only 14 centers worldwide, making this successful surgery a significant advancement in fetal medicine.
The procedure aims to prevent short-term and long-term complications for babies with spina bifida and improve their outcomes.
Dr. Mandeep Singh’s expertise and experience in fetal medicine, including his previous work at King’s College Hospital in London, contribute to his success in performing this complex surgery.
The hope is that increased collaboration between medical institutes and specialists in India will lead to greater accessibility to advanced treatments and procedures, benefitting patients within the country.