Huntington Hospital on Cutting Edge of Fetal Surgery Program

Identifies and Treats Medical Problems in Children While In Utero

Huntington Memorial Hospital, in partnership with USC Institute for Maternal-Fetal Health (IMFH), successfully completed its first fetal surgery recently. It marks the beginning of an additional way in which Huntington Hospital supports women, fetuses, and infants in need of surgery.
The Fetal Surgery Program identifies and treats medical problems in children while they are still in the womb through a technique, called “operative fetoscopy,” and is performed under local anesthesia via an incision. Huntington Hospital is one of the very few hospitals in the country to offer this life-saving treatment.
“Huntington Hospital’s collaboration with IMFH is a testament to the hospital’s reputation of providing high-quality care and positive outcomes,” said Jennifer Castaldo, associate chief nurse executive and clinical director, maternal child services, Huntington Hospital. “Expert physicians combined with the highly skilled nursing and support services at Huntington Hospital are the perfect team to offer this ground-breaking service.”
Over the past several decades, physicians and mothers-to-be alike have seen an evolution of care for babies still in the womb. These breakthroughs can be attributed to the availability of new high-resolution obstetrical ultrasounds and other prenatal screening and diagnostic techniques.
Until recently, there has been limited success in the treatment of fetal and placental problems. Parents were left with few options once a fetal abnormality was diagnosed. Fortunately, recent technological advances in microsurgical instrumentation have allowed physicians surgical access into the womb.
Steve Ralph, President and CEO of Huntington Hospital, said of today’s inaugural surgery “I am proud of the collaboration and teamwork that made this program a reality, and that we can now offer this incredible service to our community.”
Huntington Hospital officials are pleased to report that both mom and baby were doing very well following the procedure, and resting comfortably.
For more information, please visit http://www.huntingtonhospital.com/Main/FetalSurgery.aspx.

– Courtesy Photo

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