Abu Dhabi Achieves Breakthrough in Prenatal Spina Bifida Surgery

In a landmark achievement for prenatal medicine, SEHA, under the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, successfully conducted a complex fetoscopic surgery to repair spina bifida at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC). The minimally invasive 90-minute procedure was performed on a 25-week-old foetus weighing just 800 grams.

Spina bifida, a congenital spinal defect, can cause neurological problems, impaired mobility, and long-term disabilities. Traditionally treated after birth, early intervention like this reduces the risk of complications and improves outcomes for affected children.

The surgical effort brought together an expert multidisciplinary team, combining local talent and international specialists. Dr Adel Al Junaibi and Dr Saif Al Islam Abdelsalam led the paediatric surgery team at SKMC, while Dr Werner Gerhard Diehl from SEHA Corniche Hospital oversaw fetal access. Joining them were world-renowned surgeons from the US and Spain, including experts from Cleveland Clinic and Vall d’Hebron University Hospital.

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Using advanced fetoscopic techniques, the team operated through three tiny 3-millimeter incisions, carefully repairing the foetus’s spinal defect while preserving the uterine environment. Ultrasound guidance and precise surgical instruments allowed them to protect the exposed nerves and spinal cord, significantly improving the child’s prospects for mobility, bladder control, and overall neurological development.

This milestone demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s growing leadership in high-precision prenatal care. By offering complex surgeries before birth, healthcare providers in the region are setting new standards for early intervention and child wellness. The Visiting Physicians Programme continues to strengthen collaboration with global medical experts, fostering knowledge exchange and enhancing patient care across specialties.