UAE hospital performs keyhole surgery on babies in the womb to treat spina bifida

A hospital in Abu Dhabi has started performing keyhole surgery on unborn babies to treat spina bifida, a serious birth defect that can cause lifelong disability. Danat Al Emarat Hospital, part of the M42 health group, is the first facility in the Middle East to offer this advanced procedure.

The surgery happens while babies are still in the womb, typically between 19 and 26 weeks of pregnancy. Doctors make small incisions in both the mother's abdomen and the uterus to reach the baby and repair the spinal defect directly.

How does it work?

The minimally invasive technique uses tiny cameras and surgical instruments inserted through small openings. Surgeons can see inside the womb and carefully close the gap in the baby's spine where it failed to develop properly.

Key aspects of the procedure include:

• Surgery performed between 19-26 weeks of pregnancy
• Small incisions instead of large open surgery
• Real-time imaging guides the repair
• Procedure takes 2-3 hours on average
• Mother and baby monitored closely during recovery

This approach causes less trauma to both mother and baby compared to traditional open fetal surgery, which requires much larger incisions.

Why does it matter?

Spina bifida affects roughly 1 in every 1,000 pregnancies worldwide. The condition occurs when the spine doesn't close completely during early development, leaving the spinal cord exposed and vulnerable to damage.

Children born with severe spina bifida often face:

• Paralysis in the lower body
• Loss of bladder and bowel control
• Fluid buildup in the brain (hydrocephalus)
• Learning difficulties
• Need for multiple surgeries throughout life

Early intervention through fetal surgery can prevent some of this damage. Studies show babies who receive the surgery before birth often have better mobility and fewer complications than those treated only after delivery.

The context

Fetal surgery represents one of medicine's most technically challenging fields. Only a handful of medical centers worldwide have the expertise and equipment needed to perform these procedures safely.

The availability in the UAE fills a significant gap for families in the Middle East and North Africa region. Previously, expectant parents faced the difficult choice of traveling abroad for treatment or waiting until after birth, when repair options are more limited.

This development fits into the UAE's broader push to become a regional medical hub. The country has invested heavily in attracting top medical talent and acquiring advanced technologies to serve both local populations and medical tourists from neighboring countries.