Nigerian surgeon removes baby from mother's womb, operates on her tumor & returns her back

LynLee Hope who suffered from a tumor know a 'sacrococcygeal teratoma'  underwent a crucial operation at 23 weeks and then returned to her mother's womb. She healed and continued to grow until she was born again at 36 weeks. This amazing feat was performed by a surgeon who is  nigerian but  based in the U.S , Dr Oluyinka Olutoye, and his surgeon partner , Dr. Darrell Cass of Texas Children's Hospital

When Margaret Boemer went for a routine ultrasound 16 weeks into her pregnancy with her third child, she found out that things were far from routine.

"They saw something on the scan, and the doctor came in and told us that there was something seriously wrong with our baby and that she had a sacrococcygeal teratoma," the Plano, Texas, mom said in an interview shared by Texas Children's Hospital. "And it was very shocking and scary, because we didn't know what that long word meant or what diagnosis that would bring,"

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is a tumor that develops before birth and grows from a baby's coccyx, the tailbone.  Found more often in girls than boys, this tumor occurs in one out of every 35,000 births.
"This is the most common tumor we see in a newborn," said Dr. Darrell Cass, co-director of Texas Children's Fetal Center and associate professor of surgery, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College Medicine. "Even though it's the most common we see, it's still pretty rare."
Booemer had been pregnant with twins, but lost one of the babies before her second trimester so it was a shock at 16 weeks to learn of her daughter's rare birth defect.

"Some of these tumors can be very well-tolerated, so the fetus has it and can get born with it and we can take it out after the baby's born," said Cass. "But about half of the time, they cause problems for the fetus and it's usually causing problems because of a blood flow problem."

Cass explained that the tumor is trying to grow by sucking blood flow from the baby, yet the baby is also trying to grow, too "so it becomes a competition. And in some instances, the tumor wins and the heart just can't keep up and the heart goes into failure and the baby dies," he said.

With a large tumor stealing the blood supply, Boemer's fetus was becoming more ill each day, doctors explained to the expectant mother. Something had to be done.

Although other doctors had advised her to terminate the pregnancy, Cass and his team told her about another possibility: fetal surgery. This option, though, would not be an easy road. Even worse, her baby's chances of survival would be grim.

"LynLee didn't have much of a chance," Boemer said. "At 23 weeks, the tumor was shutting her heart down and causing her to go into cardiac failure, so it was a choice of allowing the tumor to take over her body or giving her a chance at life. It was an easy decision for us: We wanted to give her life.
She was 23 weeks and 5 days pregnant, when Cass and his partner surgeon, Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye, performed the emergency fetal surgery. By this time, the tumor was nearly larger than the fetus. They operated for about five hours.

"The part on the fetus we do very, very quickly," said Cass. "It's only 20 minutes or so on the actual fetus." Most of the time is spent opening the uterus, which he described as "a big muscle lined with membranes. We don't want the mom's health to be jeopardized," said Cass, who explained they work carefully, both making the incision and sewing it up in order "to make that uterus be as sealed and as water tight as possible."
Still, Cass said, the tumor in this case was so large a huge incision was needed to get to it, "so it ended up that the baby was hanging out in the air... Essentially, the fetus is outside, like completely out, all the amniotic fluid falls out, it's actually fairly dramatic," said Cass.

During the surgery, LynLee's heart slowed down to an incredibly low rate.
"It basically stopped," said Cass. He credits the heart specialist, a key member of the team, for giving the right medication and transfusing the right amount of fluid, allowing the surgeons to continue their work. The surgical team removed the bulk of the tumor. When they finished their operation, the surgeons placed LynLee back inside the womb and sewed her mother's uterus shut. It's kind of a miracle you're able to open the uterus like that and seal it all back and the whole thing works," said Cass.

Boemer was on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy. Despite her pain, she marshaled her strength and made it another 12 weeks to nearly 36 weeks -- full term -- when Lynlee Hope was born for the second time via C-section on June 6. She weighed 5 pounds and 5 ounces.

After she was born, LynLee faced one more ordeal: removing the bits of tumor that surgeons could not reach, which had begun to grow again.

"At eight days old, she had more surgery, and they were able to remove the rest of the tumor," explained Boemer. LynLee recovered in the NICU and weeks later, arrived in her family home. Baby Boemer is still an infant but is doing beautiful," said Cass, remarking that she is perfectly healthy. His one previous surgery of this kind was also a success. "I think she's about 7 now, and she sings karaoke to Taylor swift -- she's completely normal," said Cass.

Source: CNN

Comments

  1. Wow, this has made my day. It's good to actually know that medical miracles like this exist. I definitely love your blog. How do I register, so that I can be notified of your subsequent posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you love my blog!! There is a box in the top right column where you can drop your email and subscribe, you will be notified whenever I post. I'm also on Instagram with @healththenmore

      Delete
  2. Dr O has worked on my son and he is the most kindhearted and understanding doctor. He was very understanding. He really is amazing. I believe that God put him in my life when i really needed it

    ReplyDelete
  3. Feeling good and happy for this baby. Congrats medical team

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow ... Congrats Dr Oluyinka Olutoye, and Dr Darrell Cass

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Amazing and ingenuity at its best

    ReplyDelete
  7. Within the past few weeks I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Olutoye during medical missions in Nigeria. He's an amazing doctor and even a better person that consistently gives back to people in need around the world.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Big congratulations to the team. Dr. Olutoye & Dr. Cass, more grace

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow! What a wonderful breakthrough achieved by the medical team.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congrats Dr Olutoye and Dr Cass! Congrats daughter, mum, dad, and entire family!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is great news, congratulations

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is great news, congratulations

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hearty congratulations.
    I envy this feat and Cass' profile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do not envy..... be inspired and encouraged !!!

      Delete
  14. This is wonderful. Greater feats Dr.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Awesome God,fearfully and wonderfully made humans. How great is our God. Kudos to the Docs.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sacrococosicococacacocoseal!!! I almost swallowed my tongue; it was like I was speaking in tongues.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I know alady with tumol can you work on her and treat her?

    ReplyDelete
  18. I know alady with tumol can you work on her and treat her?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great achievement for humankind. Pleases the heart immeasurably that a fellow Nigerian was God's able hands in this work. Congratulations to mother and baby. Glory to the Most High God, and peace to All.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congratulations to the medical team, but first most to God who made it possible by empowering this team
    Can you please post the video clips.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading! I've embedded the CNN video.

      Delete
  21. Thats amazing! I wonder how they were able to replace the amniotic fluid that they lost in the procedure and reseal the amniotic fluid?

    ReplyDelete
  22. That is just Awesome!!! To think she was told to give the baby up, now she has a healthy child. Glory to you both.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wao!!! So..so Awesome! I love this blog to the moon and back,love to get updates.Thank You God Almighty. Well-done brothe,God bless you now and always.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great job. Amazing advancement. Kudos

    ReplyDelete
  25. This actually made my day. Keep the flag flying Doc and your team.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow, the best news received this week, well done docs

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is indeed awesome and evidence that almighty God have given man power to take dominion on earth. Congratulations to lynlee and mum and also to Dr Olayinka and team. This story confirm man's authority through study, hard work and Almighty God blessing the result. Let us convert our time through studies so that we can make this world a better place I.e bring the kingdom of God through our sphere of engagement.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wonderful & great job to the member team!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wonderful & great job to the member team!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Just wow! Faithful God, yielding hearts & hands. Thank you Doctors. Congratulations to d family.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Great Job, continue doing Gods Blessings
    Https://Fans2Earn.com/?ref=310538

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great Job, continue doing Gods Blessings
    Https://Fans2Earn.com/?ref=310538

    ReplyDelete
  33. What I would like to know is if the fetus was given anesthesia and how was the amniotic fluid replaced?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too..... I'm quite bemused..... and what a miracle how the body accepted the little one back. ...

      Delete
  34. What I would like to know is if the fetus was given anesthesia and how was the amniotic fluid replaced?

    ReplyDelete
  35. It's wonders in the instincts of animals and the minds and capacities of man, the growth and development of human life, with all its capacities and responsibilities.

    ReplyDelete
  36. That's definitely a medical miracle. I wish I could link up with such great mission-minded folks. Our team partners just came back from the Philippines. We plan to be in Toro in Nigeria next month. God bless Drs. Cass & Olutoye. www.jasonsinternational.com.

    ReplyDelete
  37. This is absolutely ingenious and above all, a miracle.. Good information

    ReplyDelete
  38. Congratulations DOcs. We are proud of you Dr. Olutoye

    ReplyDelete
  39. Dr Oluyinka, congrats to you and your team, am so proud of you.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wonderful. Congratulations for the feat. You are where things work.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Dr. Oluyinka we Nigerians are proud of you. What a medical feat by a Nigerian Doctor with his partner. The green white green flag will soon be flying all over the world. Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Dr. Oluyinka we Nigerians are proud of you. What a medical feat by a Nigerian Doctor with his partner. The green white green flag will soon be flying all over the world. Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Wow!...great work Dr Olutoye and your team.Keep up the good work and make your Continent proud#Killthekiller(tumors)

    ReplyDelete
  44. God working thru a surgeon's hands. A true miracle!!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. that's a true Nigerian. we are proud of you dr.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Congrats to child, mum and dad. Serious congrats to entire medical team. Very serious congrats Dr. Olutoye. Bros, we are proud. Keep it up.
    Seb Udeajah.

    ReplyDelete
  47. What a miraculous medical breakthrough I'm thrilled to hear this Kudos! to our own Dr Olutoye and the rest of the medical team we cannot thank you enough to God be the most glory for bestowing you with the knowledge and insight for such a successful intervention May God richly bless you

    ReplyDelete
  48. Thanks Dr Olutoye, your actions spoke volumes about our abilities and capabilities of an African Doctor. Could same be achieved at home setting, yes and only if those human barriers are removed. Back home you limit your challenges while challenging your limits here. Thanks for a fine job, young man.

    ReplyDelete
  49. This is so amazing & it can only be achieved by consistent & dilligent work & most importantly, with God's divine assistance.
    My thing is, why did CNN not make this a "breaking news" & repeatedly air it to the whole world as was Dr Ben Carson's achievements.
    I'very been seeing seeing some of Dr Olutoye's team achievements & i'mean so PROUD that he always keeps & his nigerian identity (cap) on as part of his uniform. I congratulate you & your team & pray that God will continue to be with you in & take you higher in Jesus name.

    ReplyDelete
  50. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  51. While excited about Dr Olutoye's achievement, my heart bleeds that our best hands are facilitating record-breaking success in foreign territories. I really long for the day Nigeria would provide the financial, technological and socio-economic conditions required to retain such talent.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment