{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "AIIMS Delhi Doctors Make History With First-Ever In-Utero Open Spine Surgery on a 25-Week Fetus",
  "summary": "Doctors at AIIMS Delhi have achieved a major milestone by successfully performing the first-ever open fetal spine surgery on a 25-week unborn child inside the mother's womb.",
  "content": "In a groundbreaking achievement for the medical fraternity, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi have successfully performed the country's first-ever open spine surgery on a fetus while still inside the mother's womb. This complex medical procedure took place on November 12, 2026, aiming to correct a congenital defect located in the spine of a 25-week unborn child. The fetus was suffering from a severe and intricate condition known as Myelomeningocele. This challenging operation lasted for approximately six hours, with a dedicated team of more than 30 doctors and nursing staff participating in the procedure.\n\nThe Unique Decision for Pre-Birth Surgery\nThe most remarkable aspect of this surgery is that such conditions are typically operated upon after the child is born. However, in this particular case, the medical team decided to perform the surgery while the baby was still inside the womb, in order to protect the spinal cord and nerves from prospective progressive damage. This highly complex procedure was conducted at the Neuroscience Centre of AIIMS. It utilized modern microscopy and continuous ultrasound guidance to ensure utmost precision.\n\nNearly Five Weeks of Intensive Preparation\nBefore undertaking this high-risk operation, the team of medical specialists prepared for more than five weeks. Throughout this period, multiple examinations of the fetus were conducted, and advanced imaging helped comprehend the exact severity of the condition. The parents were thoroughly counseled regarding the benefits and risks associated with the surgery. Additionally, preparations for the anesthesia procedure and simulated dry runs of the operation were executed with absolute precision.\n\nLeadership of the Specialist Medical Team\nThe neurosurgery team was led by Professor Deepak Gupta. Meanwhile, the responsibilities pertaining to maternal-fetal medicine and obstetrics were managed by Professor Neena Malhotra and Professor K. Aparna Sharma. This comprehensive procedure also involved seasoned specialists from anesthesia, plastic surgery, and newborn care.\n\nUnderstanding the Myelomeningocele Condition\nMyelomeningocele represents the most severe form of a congenital disability known as spina bifida. In this medical condition, the spinal cord of the developing fetus fails to close completely during pregnancy. An open section remains in the spine, causing the spinal cord and its protective membranes to push outward. Consequently, this exposes the spinal cord and underlying nerves to severe damage.\n\nDue to this affliction, the child may experience weakness or paralysis in the lower limbs. Furthermore, some infants may also develop hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of fluid within the brain. Additionally, the child might face prolonged neurological complications.\n\nAdvantages of Performing Surgery Inside the Womb\nIn standard medical practice, this condition is managed by surgically closing the open spinal defect following childbirth. Nevertheless, the primary objective of undertaking surgery during the prenatal stage is to minimize the trauma inflicted on the spinal cord prior to birth.\n\nAccording to Professor Deepak Gupta of AIIMS, performing surgery during pregnancy in selected cases can help protect the child from various severe complications. It can also substantially reduce the necessity of installing a shunt to drain excess fluid from the brain in cases of hydrocephalus.\n\nInternational findings from the MOMS trial had previously demonstrated highly favorable outcomes as well. The study revealed that 40 percent of children who underwent prenatal surgery required a shunt by 12 months of age. In contrast, this figure stood at 82 percent among infants who underwent postnatal surgery.\n\nHowever, this does not imply that prenatal surgery completely cures the underlying condition. The procedure carries inherent risks, including the threat of preterm delivery and maternal uterine complications. Therefore, this operation is not recommended for every pregnant woman, and doctors advise it only in select cases following rigorous evaluations.\n\nCompletely Free Surgery for the Family\nAccording to AIIMS, the entire financial cost of this surgery was covered under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK). This implies that the family did not have to pay any money out of pocket for the procedure. The institution stated that performing a similar fetal surgery, managing high-risk pregnancy care, delivery, and treating the newborn in the United States could incur expenses exceeding one crore rupees.\n\nWhy Consuming Folic Acid Before Conception Is Essential\nMedical experts emphasize that consuming folic acid prior to conception is essential to prevent such congenital disorders. Folic acid is a form of vitamin B9, which assists in the early development of the brain and spinal cord in an unborn child. The neural tube develops within the initial 28 days of pregnancy, a timeframe during which a woman might not even realize she is expecting. Therefore, women planning a pregnancy should consume folic acid under medical supervision. Moreover, folate-rich foods and food items fortified with folic acid can also prove beneficial.\n\nCases of Neural Tube Defects Remain a Concern in India\nIncidences of neural tube defects remain a matter of considerable concern within India as well. A review of 27 Indian studies published in the year 2024 reported a pooled prevalence of 9.46 per 1,000 births. Currently, the medical team at AIIMS is maintaining continuous surveillance over both the mother and the developing fetus, and they will remain under specialist observation following delivery as well.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis landmark fetal surgery performed at AIIMS Delhi opens new avenues for prenatal treatment of congenital disorders in the country, directly impacting the management of high-risk pregnancies.\n\n• Across India: Underprivileged families covered under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) will have stronger prospects of receiving free access to such prohibitively expensive and complex fetal surgeries. This paves the way for children suffering from severe congenital anomalies like neural tube defects to receive timely advanced medical intervention.\n• In Delhi: With the availability of such high-level prenatal surgical facilities at the AIIMS Neuroscience Centre, patients dealing with critical conditions at local and national levels will no longer need to travel abroad for treatment. Patients in the capital and surrounding regions will directly benefit from state-of-the-art medical technology and supervision by the nation's top specialists.\n\nWhy this happened\nThis complex surgical step was undertaken to close the open spinal defect of the unborn child in a timely manner and prevent permanent damage to the neural tissues. Compared to traditional postnatal treatments, performing surgery inside the womb minimizes ongoing trauma to the spinal cord.\n\n• Impact of Congenital Malformation: Myelomeningocele is the most severe form of spina bifida where incomplete development of the spine causes the spinal cord to protrude outward.\n• International Clinical Evidence: Data from the MOMS trial demonstrated that children undergoing prenatal surgery require significantly fewer shunts following birth.\n• Need for Preventive Measures: Since neural tube development concludes within the initial 28 days of pregnancy, consuming folic acid prior to conception is deemed essential.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. When was this surgery performed at AIIMS Delhi?\nThis surgery was performed on November 12, 2026.\n\n2. What was the age of the fetus during the operation?\nThe fetus was 25 weeks old at the time of the surgery.\n\n3. What severe condition was the baby suffering from?\nThe baby was suffering from a severe condition called Myelomeningocele.\n\n4. How many doctors participated in this surgery?\nMore than 30 doctors and nursing staff participated in this operation.\n\n5. Who led the neurosurgery team?\nThe neurosurgery team was led by Professor Deepak Gupta.\n\n6. Under which scheme was the cost of this surgery covered?\nThe entire cost of this surgery was covered under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).\n\n7. Folic acid is a form of which vitamin?\nFolic acid is a form of vitamin B9.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/health/aiims-delhi-doctors-make-history-with-first-ever-in-utero-open-spine-surgery-on-a-25-week-fetus-59817",
  "category": "Health",
  "publishedAt": "2026-11-14",
  "tags": [
    "AIIMS Delhi",
    "Fetal Surgery",
    "Myelomeningocele",
    "Spine Surgery",
    "Health News"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia",
  "whatItMeansForYou": "This landmark fetal surgery performed at AIIMS Delhi opens new avenues for prenatal treatment of congenital disorders in the country, directly impacting the management of high-risk pregnancies.\n\n• Across India: Underprivileged families covered under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) will have stronger prospects of receiving free access to such prohibitively expensive and complex fetal surgeries. This paves the way for children suffering from severe congenital anomalies like neural tube defects to receive timely advanced medical intervention.\n• In Delhi: With the availability of such high-level prenatal surgical facilities at the AIIMS Neuroscience Centre, patients dealing with critical conditions at local and national levels will no longer need to travel abroad for treatment. Patients in the capital and surrounding regions will directly benefit from state-of-the-art medical technology and supervision by the nation's top specialists.",
  "whyItHappened": "This complex surgical step was undertaken to close the open spinal defect of the unborn child in a timely manner and prevent permanent damage to the neural tissues. Compared to traditional postnatal treatments, performing surgery inside the womb minimizes ongoing trauma to the spinal cord.\n\n• Impact of Congenital Malformation: Myelomeningocele is the most severe form of spina bifida where incomplete development of the spine causes the spinal cord to protrude outward.\n• International Clinical Evidence: Data from the MOMS trial demonstrated that children undergoing prenatal surgery require significantly fewer shunts following birth.\n• Need for Preventive Measures: Since neural tube development concludes within the initial 28 days of pregnancy, consuming folic acid prior to conception is deemed essential.",
  "questionsAndAnswers": [
    {
      "question": "When was this surgery performed at AIIMS Delhi?",
      "answer": "This surgery was performed on November 12, 2026."
    },
    {
      "question": "What was the age of the fetus during the operation?",
      "answer": "The fetus was 25 weeks old at the time of the surgery."
    },
    {
      "question": "What severe condition was the baby suffering from?",
      "answer": "The baby was suffering from a severe condition called Myelomeningocele."
    },
    {
      "question": "How many doctors participated in this surgery?",
      "answer": "More than 30 doctors and nursing staff participated in this operation."
    },
    {
      "question": "Who led the neurosurgery team?",
      "answer": "The neurosurgery team was led by Professor Deepak Gupta."
    },
    {
      "question": "Under which scheme was the cost of this surgery covered?",
      "answer": "The entire cost of this surgery was covered under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)."
    },
    {
      "question": "Folic acid is a form of which vitamin?",
      "answer": "Folic acid is a form of vitamin B9."
    }
  ]
}