The life of a newborn was saved by a team of 50 specialist medics in London recently in a rare procedure.
Freddie Verschueren was delivered safely at St George’s hospital in South West London using the Ex-utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT) – a procedure that helps to deliver babies at risk.
This is used when an unborn child has an airway obstruction and is unable to breathe independently once removed from the placenta.
Professor Asma Khalil, consultant obstetrician at St George’s, led the operation.
She said: ‘An EXIT procedure involves a large number of healthcare professionals from various backgrounds including an obstetrician, foetal medicine specialist, an anaesthetist, a paediatric anaesthetist, a paediatric ENT surgeon, midwives and the neonatal team, as well as other theatre staff.’
There was a cyst on the patient’s tongue that could potentially block his airways, detected in a scan during his mum’s second trimester.
The team made an incision to deliver the baby’s head and shoulders first, leaving him attached to the placenta and able to breathe. They established an airway so he could breathe independently before delivering him. He weighed 6lbs 8oz (3.1kg) at birth.
Professor Khalil added: ‘I am very grateful for the efforts by every member of our large team who ensured that we delivered the best care to Anna and Freddie. Saving babies’ lives and caring for the parents during challenging times is the most rewarding aspect of my job.’
Although an EXIT procedure is extremely rare, this is the second time it has been carried out in St George’s this year.
Dr Richard Jennings, Group Chief Medical Officer for St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group, said: ‘St George’s is one of the few hospitals in the country that carries out this rare procedure and saves the lives of many babies. I am pleased to hear that Freddie is doing well thanks to our dedicated and skilled teams, and everyone at St George’s wishes him and his family all the best for the future.’
Photo caption - The-50-strong-team-delieverd-Freddie-successfully
