The infant was born without a diaphragm, causing vital organs like the liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, and intestines to shift into the chest. This condition resulted in severe respiratory complications due to the lack of separation between cavities
Published Jan 18, 2025 | 2:55 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 18, 2025 | 2:55 PM
newborn
A team of specialists at Little Stars & SHE Women and Children’s Hospital successfully performed a rare, minimally invasive keyhole surgery to save the life of a newborn from Saudi Arabia with a severe congenital defect.
The infant was born without a diaphragm, a condition that prevents the separation of the chest and abdominal cavities.
This led to the displacement of vital organs including the liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach and intestines into the chest, causing severe respiratory complications.
The displacement of these organs into the chest restricts the growth and expansion of the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary hypoplasia. This leads to severely underdeveloped lungs and impaired respiratory function.
The heart may be pushed out of its normal position, which can impair circulation. Organs that are displaced may also be malpositioned or compressed, leading to potential digestive complications.
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle at the base of the chest that plays a critical role in breathing and separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. It enables inhalation and exhalation by altering chest cavity pressure and also supports actions like vomiting and coughing by increasing abdominal pressure. When absent, as in congenital diaphragmatic hernia, abdominal organs displace into the chest, compressing the lungs and heart.
This leads to underdeveloped lungs (pulmonary hypoplasia), severe respiratory distress, and impaired circulation. Additionally, displaced organs cause digestive issues, acid reflux, and pressure imbalance in the abdomen.
This life-threatening condition requires immediate surgical correction and long-term care to manage respiratory and developmental complications.
Senior neonatologist at Little Stars & SHE Women and Children’s Hospital, Satish Ghanta said in a statement, that the newborn’s parents, a couple from Saudi Arabia, travelled to India for the delivery.
After initial tests at another hospital in Hyderabad revealed the complex condition, the baby was brought to the Little Star & SHE Women and Children’s Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
“We performed detailed examinations and planned the delivery carefully. The surgical intervention was scheduled only after controlling the severe lung hypertension (PPHN) on the fourth day after birth,” explained Ghanta.
“This condition, where abdominal organs move into the chest, is rare and usually fatal without timely intervention. The displaced organs put immense pressure on the lungs, leading to severe respiratory complications like Lung Hypoplasia and Lung Hypertension (PPHN). All such cases require surgery, but due to the infant’s age and severity, we opted for minimally invasive keyhole surgery,” he added.
The team opted for minimally invasive keyhole surgery, which avoided the risks associated with traditional open surgery.
“This approach minimises blood loss and reduces recovery time, ensuring a safer outcome for the infant. It’s a rare and complex surgery performed with great precision,” he said.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
