Neonatal surgery is performed on the newborn baby shortly after birth. These are the most specialized and sophisticated surgeries to treat those conditions which are developmental in origin and need to be addressed immediately after birth. These may also be performed to correct issues that develop post-birth. Such surgeries include correction of heart and brain defects, lung lesions and tumours, intestinal and oesophagal defects amongst others.
Recently, an expecting mother found out during routine investigations at 32 weeks of pregnancy that the unborn baby has an intestinal obstruction and the baby would require surgery for this congenital malformation immediately after birth. The fetus was reported to be suffering from Duodenal Atresia, wherein a part of the duodenum (initial part of the intestine) is not formed causing mechanical blockage preventing the passage of milk and other digestive fluids further. Earlier scans (done elsewhere) missed reporting on that.
The case was immediately referred to the Department of Fetal Medicine at SRCC Children’s Hospital, managed by Narayana Health for delivery and neonatal surgery. The delivery of the baby was handled efficiently. The baby was transferred to NICU and was investigated for the associated anomalies. The baby was fine without any associated problems and was taken up for the surgery by the team under Dr Rasik Shah (Sr Consultant, Pediatric Surgery), Dr Ravi Ramadwar (Sr Consultant, Pediatric Surgery), Dr Vinit Samdani (Consultant Pediatrics), & Dr Nandini (Sr Consultant & Head, Pediatric Anesthesia). Laparoscopic abdominal surgery was performed on the neonate within the first 24 hours successfully, which is a scar less and painless procedure.
As per Dr Rasik Shah, SRCC Children’s Hospital, ‘’ The baby was taken to NICU in stable condition post-surgery and discharged some days later. The postoperative baby did well. The contrast x-ray is done after five days showed a good flow of contrast from the stomach into the small bowel. The baby was started on oral feeding which was gradually increased and was discharged on full feed on day 11 after birth.’’
‘’The prevalence of congenital anomalies is 3-5% worldwide but may differ country wise. The prevalence rate in India is reported to be 3.6%. More than 50% of newborns probably don’t even reach the hospitals. As the baby was delivered and operated on in the same hospital, it was possible to avoid the trauma of transfer of the neonate,’’ he remarked.
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