Open-heart surgery performed on infant mid-delivery

Editor's Note

Surgeons recently performed open-heart surgery on an infant during a C-section to correct a congenital heart defect, according to a February 25 brief from the American College of Surgeons.

Led by Dr. Sameh Said at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, a team of specialists conducted the procedure on a baby diagnosed in utero with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and a rare additional complication. As detailed in the report, surgeons used the ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) approach to partially deliver the baby via C-section with the umbilical cord intact, allowing immediate intervention. As detailed in the report, this success could pave the way for similar life-saving procedures.