Abu Dhabi - "This case is complex, rare, the first of its kind in the UAE and the third of its kind in the world."
Published: Sun 21 Aug 2016, 3:57 PM
Surgeons in Abu Dhabi successfully treated an Emirati newborn baby suffering from a rare congenital malformation of the intestine, which led to perforation of the small bowel, filling his whole abdomen with fluid, which required immediate intervention to save his life. According to international published medical and scientific journals, the baby's rare case is the first in the UAE and the third to be published globally. The first case was published back in 1975, while the second took place in France in 2004.
The case in UAE, which took place in July at the Fetal Medicine Unit of Danat Al Emarat Hospital - occurred during the 34th week of gestation. Dr Raja Cingapagu, Pediatric Surgeon at Danat Al Emarat Hospital, who performed the baby's surgery along with a surgical team of various specialties, spoke to Khaleej Times about the rare case. "This is a very rare case for intestinal abnormality, which lead to rapture while the baby was still in his mother's womb."
"Upon the diagnosis of the fetus' condition during the 34th week of pregnancy, a multi-disciplinary team was formed. A decision was then made by the obstetricians to deliver the baby within a few days."
He pointed out that a number of tests were conduced to the newborn to help identify the cause for the increased accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, which caused a vast abdominal distention. However, various scans did not show the exact problem of the intestine, due to the fluid, which filled the baby's abdomen. Thus an emergency four-hour surgery took place that identified the birth defect as intestinal tubular duplication cyst, which was 15 centimeters long in the baby's small bowel.
The cyst created a twisted bowel and perforation during late gestational period, leading to fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. "Once the baby was delivered, he had huge abdominal distention and was unable to breath because the stomach was filled with fluids, and the effort of the baby's lungs were not enough. We had to do what we can to stabilise the baby and his circulation."
Dr Cingapagu pointed out that the medical teams were able to cut the unhealthy and defective bowel, join the healthy bowels and clear the abdominal cavity.
He explained that a delay in medical intervention in such cases would lead to serious complications. If the bowels were not perforated, it could lead to a malignant tumor, or gangrene in the bowels and internal organs, eventually leading to death. Dr Cinfapagu affirmed that the complex surgery was a rare one indeed. "It is extremely difficult to identify the intestinal rupture, the baby was also in his pre-term when we had the emergency abdominal surgery, so it was very difficult."
"This case is complex, rare, the first of its kind in the UAE and the third of its kind in the world."
"We experienced some tense moments, but the baby's life is precious and we did all we can to save him," he added.
The baby's father, Ahmed Saeed Al Mansouri, expressed his sincere joy when he found out that his son's life was saved. "The medical team was able to diagnose my son's case before birth and they are known for their competency. I did not consider having it performed abroad because it was a rare urgent case," he added. He also highlighted how early diagnosis of the case helped in developing a successful treatment plan and saving the baby's life from serious complications, which could have occurred if the treatment was delayed. "This is our family's second baby, and, thanks to Allah, he is now in good health." jasmine@khaleejtimes.com
iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
