Groundbreaking Surgery: First In-Womb Spina Bifida Operation Successfully Performed in Turkey
In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a fetus diagnosed with Spina Bifida at 16 weeks of pregnancy underwent successful in-womb surgery in Turkey. Spina Bifida is a serious condition where the baby’s spine doesn’t form properly, leaving the spinal cord exposed. If left untreated, it can lead to severe health issues, including inability to walk, urinary and bowel incontinence, and fluid accumulation in the brain. Traditionally, these problems are addressed through postnatal surgery.
For the first time in Turkey, the procedure was performed before birth at Pendik Training and Research Hospital by a team of skilled specialists. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced this significant medical breakthrough, stating that both the mother and baby are in good health post-operation.
This innovative surgical intervention highlights the advanced capabilities and developed healthcare infrastructure in Turkey. The Ministry of Health aims to continue such pioneering practices to enhance public health.