A rare fetal abnormality saw about eight skilled medical personnel at Tygerburg Hospital perform the first Ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure in South Africa.
EXIT is a surgical procedure that
is used to deliver babies who are experiencing a blockage of the airway. Kiara
Jackson’s baby girl had developed a tumour in her mouth, and Jackson was
advised that the growing tumour could cause complications in the future delivery
of the baby.
Complications for the fetus
may include obstruction of the airway or esophagus, which could result in too
much fluid surrounding the fetus in the womb, leading to early labour. The
fetus could also develop heart failure, and “the baby would also need surgery
after birth that could result in damage to her vocal cords, nerves or vessels”,
according to Laticia Pienaar, Principal Communications Officer at Tygerberg
Hospital.
According to professor Lut
Geerts, this is the first procedure of its kind to be performed in South
Africa. She noted that six different teams with their own staff and equipment
had availed themselves within 24 hours to carry out the successful procedure,
as the mother, Kiara Jackson, was showing signs of impending labour. Courtesy:
Western Cape Government
“An extensive team of medical
subspecialists at [Tygerberg Hospital] performed a successful EXIT procedure on 10 December 2021
by only half-delivering a baby to create a gap of 30 minutes for treatment
while continuing oxygen supply via the placenta. In that period a team of
doctors used multiple methods to establish an airway for the baby because she
couldn’t breathe spontaneously due to the presence of a very large tumour of
her throat, which protruded from her mouth,” explained professor Lut Geerts,
one of the doctors involved in the planning and execution of the successful
procedure.
The baby was fully delivered,
after the procedure, and cared for in paedeatric surgery until 15 December.
Following Jackson’s surgery,
she was discharged not having experienced any complications and her daughter,
Ivoree Jane, is stable and remains in the neonatal intensive care unit for
supportive care.
Done By: Caitlin Maledo
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