April King learned during her 20-week anatomy scan that spina bifida was detected in her baby boy's body. King was quickly connected to Riley Children's Health and Dr. Hiba Mustafa, Director of the Fetal Surgery Program at the Fetal Center at Riley.
Right away, Dr. Mustafa discussed King's options, which included the mini-laparotomy fetoscopic spina bifida repair surgery. This procedure involves an innovative approach that minimizes the risk of fetal surgery for the mother, while preserving the benefits of in-utero repair for the fetus.
This laparoscopic procedure is typically performed on the mother when she is between 24 and 26 and 6 weeks pregnant. It involves a small two- to four-centimeter incision in the mother's abdomen.
"I just feel blessed that we were able to meet [Dr. Mustafa] and have that option," King said. "I can't imagine not being able to have the surgery."
The mini-laparotomy fetoscopy decreases the risk of hydrocephalus, improves hindbrain herniation, and results in improved developmental and motor outcomes in babies with open neural tube defects.
King underwent the procedure on August 13 and delivered her baby, William, on September 26. King and her husband received wonderful news during their January 27 appointment at Riley: William shows no signs of spina bifida.
"William's doing [perfectly]," Neurosurgeon Dr. Jason Chu said. "He looks like a completely normal baby, you would never know that he had spina bifida or myelomeningocele unless you actually looked at his back."
While Dr. Chu and the neurosurgery team play a role in the initial procedure; they then monitor babies after they are born for signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus. If necessary, the neurosurgery team leads discussions for treatment for hydrocephalus, and, as they get older, look for other potential neurologic conditions. So far, William shows no signs of hydrocephalus.
"I mean he's just doing amazing," King said. "Truly, a miracle."
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