Colombia completes first fetal gastroschisis surgery in Latin America
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Colombia has successfully carried out the first intrauterine fetal gastroschisis surgery in Latin America, a groundbreaking medical procedure that enhances prenatal outcomes and reduces risks for infants.
A milestone in fetal medicine, the Clínica General del Norte in Barranquilla (Colombia) has successfully performed the first intrauterine surgery to correct gastroschisis in Latin America.
This advancement marks a turning point in prenatal care, offering an innovative solution to treat this serious congenital anomaly.
Gastroschisis: A Dangerous Anomaly.
Gastroschisis is a defect in the fetal abdominal wall that causes the intestinal organs to protrude outside the body.
This defect is detectable from the 12th week of gestation and affects 4 to 7 out of every 10,000 live births.
If not treated in a timely manner, it can lead to severe complications, such as short bowel syndrome, prolonged stays in neonatal intensive care units, and high treatment costs that can reach up to $150,000 in countries like the United States.
Short bowel syndrome is a condition in which a significant portion of the small intestine fails to develop or is lost, impairing the absorption of essential nutrients.
Babies affected by this condition rely on prolonged intravenous feeding, and in extreme cases, may require intestinal transplants, significantly increasing treatment risks and costs.
An Innovative Approach to Correct Gastroschisis.
Until now, conventional treatment involved postnatal interventions, which carry a high risk of perinatal mortality, ranging from 2% to 6%.
With this intervention, performed in Barranquilla, the goal is to correct the anomaly before birth, drastically reducing risks and improving the baby’s prognosis.
Dr. Miguel Parra Saavedra, perinatologist and head of the Clínica General del Norte team, states:
“The benefits are simple to summarize: curing the baby of this disease and all its complications before birth.”
The procedure performed involved fetoscopy, a minimally invasive technique that allows intrauterine surgery without the need to fully open the mother’s abdomen.
During the intervention, the medical team used an innovative method of muscle relaxation of the fetal abdominal wall with botulinum toxin.
This treatment relaxed the fetus’s abdominal muscles, reducing internal pressure and minimizing the risk of postoperative complications. Thanks to this approach, the success of the surgery was optimized.
The procedure was carried out by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Miguel Parra Saavedra, perinatologist and fetal surgery specialist.
Also involved were Dr. Cristobal Abello, pediatric surgeon; Dr. Juan David Hernández, anesthesiologist; Dr. Jezid Miranda, perinatologist and fetal surgeon; and Dr. Guido Parra, gynecologist and endoscopist.
Dr. Parra adds:
“The prognosis is excellent with the resolution of the gastroschisis. The problem is considered resolved, and the baby can be born and develop like any normal baby.”
This achievement positions Colombia and Clínica General del Norte as leaders in medical innovation in Latin America.
Additionally, it opens the possibility for this procedure to be implemented in other medical centers, significantly transforming the history of fetal medicine in the country.
Fetoscopic surgery is covered by Colombia’s Mandatory Health Plan (POS), which facilitates access to this medical breakthrough. This positions the country as a leader in high-complexity prenatal care.
