Infant's Life Saved by Minimally Invasive Surgery at Hadassah Hospital

A three-day-old infant's life was saved at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem following a complex surgery to correct a rare esophageal defect. The baby's mother, Odelia, described the ordeal, which began when a condition was diagnosed late in her pregnancy. Initial ultrasounds had indicated a healthy pregnancy, but in the ninth month, a hospital near her home in Zichron Yaakov identified an anomaly without specifying its nature. Upon arrival at Hadassah, doctors accurately diagnosed the infant with esophageal atresia, a condition where the esophagus does not connect to the stomach. In this specific case, the infant also had a fistula, an abnormal connection, between the esophagus and the trachea, posing a severe threat to breathing and feeding.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Kilan, a pediatric surgeon specializing in neonatology at Hadassah, explained the critical nature of the condition, stating the baby could not eat or swallow saliva. The connection to the trachea meant air entered the stomach instead of the lungs, causing dangerous stomach inflation. Odelia's pregnancy had been classified as high-risk due to polyhydramnios, and she was under close monitoring. After her water broke, she was admitted to Hadassah for an emergency Cesarean section.

Following the birth, the infant experienced heart rate decelerations and required ventilation. A feeding tube was attempted, but an X-ray revealed it was coiled in the upper esophagus, confirming the atresia. The surgical team, including Dr. Al-Kilan and Dr. Diaa Zeiger, an expert in laparoscopic pediatric surgery, along with anesthesiologist Dr. Maria Rashunavich and nurse Smadar Sharabi, performed the corrective surgery on the third day of the infant's life.

Dr. Zeiger highlighted the innovative approach used at Hadassah, performing the surgery through tiny incisions, a minimally invasive technique that differs from the standard open-chest approach used elsewhere in Israel. Hadassah has successfully performed this complex procedure ten times with no significant complications, attracting patients from across the country. The two-hour surgery was followed by imaging to ensure no leakage and confirm its success.

Odelia expressed immense gratitude for the medical team's skill and dedication, noting the rapid recovery process. The infant, initially on ventilation, soon breathed independently, ate, and communicated. The recovery also involved a speech therapist and physiotherapist. Dr. Al-Kilan confirmed the surgery, one of the most complex in pediatric surgery, was a complete success, and Odelia and her healthy son are expected to be discharged soon.