Dubai, NFAPost: In a remarkable medical breakthrough, a team of doctors led by Dr Mandeep Singh, an Indian-origin fetal medicine expert, has achieved a significant milestone by performing a life-changing in-utero procedure on a pregnant patient from South America. Dr Singh, who hails from Mumbai, became the first Indian-origin doctor to conduct the In-utero spina bifida repair surgery, paving the way for potential collaborations with institutes and specialists in India to enhance accessibility to such advanced treatments.
The groundbreaking surgery took place at The Burjeel Medical City Hospital in Abu Dhabi, where Dr Singh, alongside a skilled team of doctors, successfully repaired a spinal defect in a 24-week-old fetus. This rare open spina bifida fetal procedure was undertaken with the aim of preventing both short-term and long-term complications for the baby, who originates from Colombia. Spina bifida is a congenital condition characterized by incomplete development of the spine, leading to the exposure of the spinal cord to amniotic fluid and causing permanent disability. Common complications associated with this condition include loss of bladder and bowel control, paralysis, and weakness in the lower limb muscles.
Dr Singh described the procedure as a “cutting-edge treatment” that holds tremendous potential in improving outcomes for babies with spina bifida. Expressing his optimism, he emphasized the importance of collaborating with institutes and specialists in India to expand access to such advanced treatments within the country, eliminating the need for patients to travel abroad. Currently, in-utero spina bifida repair is only available at around 14 centres worldwide.
Elaborating on the surgical procedure, Dr Singh explained that a small incision is made on the uterus during the fetal repair surgery, allowing the neurosurgeon to close the spina bifida defect on the baby’s back. A synthetic patch is utilized to cover the defect, after which the amniotic fluid is carefully reintroduced into the cavity, and the uterus is closed. The baby remains in the womb for the remainder of the pregnancy and is delivered through a caesarean section at 37 weeks gestation. Dr Singh has a distinguished background, having served as a consultant in Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics and as CEO of Burjeel Farha (a division of women and children) at the hospital. Previously, he worked as a Consultant in Fetal Medicine at Fetal Medicine & Research Institute, King’s College Hospital, London.
The successful completion of this groundbreaking surgery signifies a major stride in the field of fetal medicine and offers new hope for expectant parents facing similar challenges. Dr Singh’s achievement underscores the importance of international collaborations and highlights the potential for enhanced accessibility to advanced treatments, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide.
