Weeks before they took their first breaths, two babies had their spinal cords delicately repaired by surgeons in the first operations of their kind in the UK. The spina bifida surgeries were successfully performed by a team at University College hospital, London in summer on two babies while they were still in the womb. Spina bifida is usually treated after birth, but research shows repairing the spine earlier can stop the loss of spinal fluid and lead to better long-term health and mobility outcomes. A 30-strong team carried out the two operations, coordinated by the UCL professor, who had worked for three years to bring the procedure to patients in the UK. She said mothers previously had to travel to the US, Belgium or Switzerland.
“It’s fantastic. Women now don’t have to travel out of the UK,” professor said. “They can have their family with them. There are less expenses. So all good…
