Abu Dhabi: 25-week-old foetus undergoes spine surgery in mother's womb

A foetus aged 25 weeks and weighing 800 grams underwent fetoscopic surgery to repair spina bifida. The minimally invasive procedure lasted 90 minutes, and was performed at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC).

Spina bifida is a birth defect where the spine and spinal cord don’t develop properly, leaving a gap in the spine. The membranes surrounding the spinal cord fail to close properly during early stages of pregnancy, which may result in neurological problems and long-term disabilities.

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The foetus underwent fetoscopic surgery, that uses a tiny camera and small instruments inserted through small cuts in the mother’s belly and uterus. The technique enables the surgical team to operate through extremely small incisions. Miniature instruments and a camera were inserted into the closed uterus to reach the foetus and repair the defect.

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The surgeon repairs the baby’s spine before birth, which can reduce complications and improve the baby’s chances of walking and having a better quality of life.

The surgeons utilised just three incisions, each measuring only three millimetres, to carry out the procedure with high precision and minimal invasiveness. This approach accelerates recovery, reduces risks of complications, and preserves the uterine environment during healing. Following the successful closure, the Seha Corniche Hospital team carefully closed the abdomen, allowing the pregnancy to continue safely until the planned delivery date.

This milestone, as part of the Visiting Physicians Programme launched by the Department of Health, highlights Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global hub for healthcare and its commitment to delivering the highest levels of quality and innovation across all specialties.

The Visiting Physicians Programme aims to enhance knowledge exchange and foster collaboration with distinguished medical experts from around the world.

Dr Adel Ali Al Junaibi, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at Seha SKMC, said, “Prenatal repair of spina bifida significantly improves long-term outcomes, reducing the risk of paralysis and neurological complications while limiting the need for multiple surgeries after birth. Through early intervention, we are giving the child a better chance to walk independently and live a more active and fulfilling life.”

Dr Werner Gerhard Diehl, Consultant in Fetal Medicine at Seha Corniche Hospital, said, “Fetoscopic repair of spina bifida is an intervention performed before birth to correct the defect. When carried out early, it improves mobility and reduces the risk of neurological complications without increasing risk for the mother. This procedure requires an exceptional degree of precision, extensive planning and training, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

At the Foetal Medicine Centre at Seha Corniche Hospital, we have performed more than 500 therapeutic interventions to date, achieving outcomes that meet global standards and placing us at the forefront of foetal care in the UAE and the region.”