Malaysia's First Intrauterine Spina Bifida Surgery a Success at Sarawak General Hospital
Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) has made history by performing Malaysia's first intrauterine surgery for spina bifida. The complex procedure was led by a team of local specialists and supervised by experts from Australia. The mother, in her third pregnancy and referred from Kuantan, and her unborn baby are both recovering well.
Spina bifida is a birth defect where the spine and membranes around the spinal cord do not close properly during pregnancy. If left untreated, it can lead to complications like poor walking ability and issues with bladder or bowel control. The innovative surgery, performed between 19 and 26 weeks of pregnancy, aims to improve neurological outcomes, reduce the need for walking aids, and lower the risk of hydrocephalus.
The operation, carried out on September 22, involved repairing an open spinal defect, known as myelomeningocele, while the baby was still in the mother's womb. The SGH team consisted of Dr Tan Lee Na, Dr Low Peh Hueh, Dr Teo Shu Ching, and Dr Amita. They were guided by a team of Australian experts: Prof Dr Sailesh Kumar, Dr Amelia Jardim, and Dr Aled Hapgood.
The successful surgery at SGH marks a significant milestone in Malaysian healthcare. It offers hope for better outcomes for babies born with spina bifida. The mother and her baby are both doing well in their recovery, paving the way for more such procedures in the future.
