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| Australia: Successful Fetal Surgery. The image shows a 14-week-old fetus. |
A year and a half after undergoing surgery while still in the womb, baby Ella Turner in Australia is developing normally and has begun to take her first steps.
Baby Ella, from Launceston in Tasmania, Australia, underwent surgery as a fetus after doctors discovered she had a rare condition that could lead to the loss of her foot. Ella is now 14 months old, developing normally, and learning to walk.
The surgical team in Melbourne, Australia, is thrilled with the success of this procedure.
Dr. Andrew Edwards stated that the success of the surgery with baby Ella has garnered global attention.
| To date, there have only been a few fetal surgeries performed worldwide. This type of surgery is very complex, and only a handful of surgeons around the globe are willing to undertake it. It is a risky procedure as it can lead to premature birth. The United States leads in the number of such procedures with incisions made in the abdomen and uterus similar to a cesarean section. |
According to Dr. Edwards, baby Ella’s situation is truly remarkable because in such cases, there can be many possible outcomes ranging from the foot being completely lost to it functioning normally.
