Surgery at Texas Children's Hospital brings hope to unborn baby with spina bifida
Innovative surgery brings hope to unborn baby with spina bifida
A Georgia mother underwent surgery at Texas Children's Hospital to mend her unborn baby's spine, affected by a rare birth defect. Melissa Wilson was invited into the operating room by a world-renowned surgeon at Texas Children's Hospital to witness this life-changing experience.
HOUSTON - I recently had the extraordinary opportunity to step into the operating room at Texas Children's Hospital, where a renowned surgeon invited me to witness a transformative procedure for an expectant mother. She underwent surgery to mend her unborn baby's spine, affected by a rare birth defect, offering her daughter a brighter future.
Courtney and Ray Dailey were overjoyed to learn they were expecting a baby girl. However, their excitement turned to concern when they discovered their baby, Violet Hope, would be born with spina bifida.
"Initially, it was terrifying, as everything we anticipated seemed to vanish. That first night was filled with despair," states Ray.
Residing in Georgia, the Dailey's say they were given outdated information by their doctor regarding their child's prognosis.
"She informed us that our child would face severe neurodevelopmental delays and asked multiple times if we wanted to consider termination," Courtney recalls.
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Determined to find better options, their research led them to Texas Children's Hospital, where Dr. Michael Belfort and Dr. William Whitehead pioneered a revolutionary procedure to address spina bifida before birth. The doctors spent countless hours perfecting the technique using a kickball in the operating room.
"We are incredibly grateful. Dr. Belfort has been a tremendous blessing, even giving me his personal cell phone number," expressed Courtney.
Dr. Michael Belfort is the Obstetrician and Gynecologist-in-Chief of Texas Children's Hospital and the Chair of the Department of OB/GYN at Baylor College of Medicine.
At Texas Children's Hospital, Courtney and her baby underwent the procedure to secure a healthier future for Violet. The surgery begins with an incision similar to a C-section.
"We'll carefully lift her uterus through the opening, scan to ensure the baby's position is correct, and then insert the first port," Dr. Belfort explains.
Dr. Belfort and Dr. Whitehead collaborate closely, with Dr. Caitlin Sutton overseeing anesthesia.
"We utilize two ports, a unique approach here," Dr. Sutton describes. "One port holds a camera, and the other an instrument, requiring the team to work in tandem, much like a three-legged race," she goes on to describe.
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During the procedure, the amniotic fluid is replaced temporarily with carbon dioxide gas. On the O.R. monitor, we were able to observe what spina bifida looks like before the repair. In spina bifida, the neural tube, which should form the brain and spinal cord, doesn't close completely, leaving Violet's spinal cord and nerves exposed. Without intervention, her chances of walking would be minimal.
"Fetal surgery for spina bifida significantly increases the likelihood of children walking independently and reduces the need for a ventricular peritoneal shunt," Dr. Belfort explains.
This procedure addresses fluid accumulation in the brain. Dr. Belfort is actively training surgeons across the U.S. and internationally to extend this life-changing technique to more children. He is also adapting the approach to treat other conditions.
Courtney and Ray are relieved to have found help for their baby girl and are optimistic about the future, despite the challenges ahead. For more information on the Spina Bifida Program at Texas Children's Hospital, visit their website: https://www.texaschildrens.org/departments/spina-bifida-program