The procedure was performed by the creator of this method Prof. Michael Belfort from Texas Children's Hospital (Houston, US), accompanied by Prof. William E. Whitehead (neurosurgeon) and the team of UCWNH MUW: Prof. Mirosław Wielgoś, Dr Robert Biskupski-Brawura-Samaha, Dr Michał Lipa supported by the anesthesiologist Dr Elżbieta Staszewska-Piórkowska, Agnieszka Budnik (anaesthesiological nurse assisting during anaesthesia) and operating theatre assistants: Marek Litwiniuk and Monika Hiszpańska.
- We are extremely happy that the whole surgery, although tiring and long, was successful. That we managed to give a chance for - hopefully - a normal life to this little creature, a girl at such an early stage. - says Professor Mirosław Wielgoś, Head of the 1st Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics MUW. - Huge thanks go to Prof. Michael Belfort and Prof. William E. Whitehead, who beautifully introduced us to the topic, as well as to all those who participated in the surgery - actively and passively, to all those who contributed to the preparation of the surgery and to all those who made sure that everywhere else on that day the work went very smoothly. - adds Prof. Mirosław Wielgoś.
A child's spina bifida is a serious, progressive malformation that usually develops as early as the first trimester of fetal life. It is a defect in the continuity of the spine, usually in the lumbar or sacral region, generally resulting in paralysis of the lower limbs and bladder and/or anal sphincters. In Poland this defect occurs about once in 1000 births. So far in our country this type of surgery has been performed using a fetoscopic method with percutaneous access.
Belfort's innovative technique is a combination of two methods - open surgery and fetoscopy. - The Belfort technique involves an incision in the abdominal wall, the uterus is exposed and trocars are inserted directly into the uterus, after which further stages of the surgery are carried out fetoscopically. This method provides greater opportunity for safe access to the uterine cavity because it makes it easier to bypass the placenta. It is also connected with lower risk of premature amniotic fluid outflow after the surgery. Moreover, it gives the possibility of placing sutures directly on the uterus, including the amniotic membrane - explain the doctors from the University Center for Women's and Newborn Health.