AIIMS New Delhi has achieved a major milestone in the field of medical science. Doctors at the institute have successfully performed the first-ever open fetal surgery to correct a severe congenital spinal deformity in a 25-week-old fetus. Through this pioneering procedure—the first of its kind in the country—medical professionals sought to repair a spinal defect before the baby’s birth.
The complex surgery, which lasted approximately six hours, involved a team of over 30 doctors and healthcare personnel. Notably, the entire procedure was provided to the family free of cost under the ‘Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram’ (a government scheme for maternal and infant health).
AIIMS New Delhi has added a new chapter to the field of medicine. On November 12, a team of doctors performed an open fetal surgery to address ‘myelomeningocele’—a severe congenital spinal deformity—in a 25-week-old fetus. Myelomeningocele is the most serious form of spina bifida, a condition in which the spinal cord and its protective membranes protrude through an opening in the spine. If left unaddressed, this can lead to paralysis, the accumulation of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus), and lifelong neurological complications after birth.
Typically, such deformities are corrected after the child is born; however, by that stage, the spinal nerves may have already sustained irreversible damage. Recognising this challenge, experts at AIIMS opted to perform the surgery while the fetus was still in the womb. During the six-hour procedure, the team repaired a defect in the lower part of the fetus’s spine—the site from which the cerebrospinal fluid (which protects the brain and spinal cord) was leaking.
This historic, successful surgery was made possible through the collaborative efforts of more than 30 specialist doctors and nursing staff from the departments of Neurosurgery, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Anaesthesia, Plastic Surgery, and Neonatology. The surgery was performed with the aid of state-of-the-art microscopy and continuous ultrasound monitoring.
According to experts, performing surgery in utero can, in select cases, help protect a fetus’s nerves from further damage, reduce the risk of hydrocephalus (the accumulation of fluid in the brain), and improve neurological outcomes. However, this is not a definitive cure, and the child may still require ongoing monitoring and treatment by specialists after birth.
A notable aspect of this procedure was that the family did not have to bear any of the costs; the treatment was provided entirely free of charge under the Government of India’s ‘Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram’ (Maternal and Child Health Protection Program). This achievement by AIIMS offers new hope to Indian families whose unborn children are diagnosed with such severe congenital anomalies. Nevertheless, experts emphasise that such surgeries should only be performed in carefully selected cases and at specialised medical centres equipped with the necessary facilities.
Furthermore, doctors highlight the importance of consuming folic acid and folate-rich foods—along with raising general awareness—prior to pregnancy, as these play a crucial role in preventing congenital neural tube defects. This landmark initiative by AIIMS represents a significant step forward, reflecting the growing capabilities of Indian medical science and the advancement of state-of-the-art treatment facilities.
