Newborn Successfully Undergoes Rare Esophageal Surgery at Hadassah Hospital
A newborn diagnosed with a rare esophageal defect successfully underwent minimally invasive surgery at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, reuniting with his family after recovery.
A newborn baby who underwent complex surgery at just three days old for esophageal atresia has successfully recovered and been reunited with his mother at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem.
The congenital condition, which occurs in approximately one in every 3,000 births, prevented the infant from swallowing or digesting food due to a disconnected esophagus and an abnormal passage to the trachea. Dr. Ahmad Al-Kilani, a senior pediatric surgeon at the hospital, explained that the anomaly allowed air to dangerously inflate the stomach from the respiratory system.
Early Detection and Emergency Delivery
Odelya, a resident of Zichron Yaakov, was rushed to Hadassah Hospital after experiencing premature rupture of membranes in her ninth month of pregnancy, following initial suspicions of polyhydramnios. Due to fetal heart rate decelerations detected in the maternity ward, physicians performed an immediate emergency cesarean section under general anesthesia.
Diagnostic tests and probing shortly after birth confirmed the diagnosis of esophageal atresia. Dr. Diaa Zeiger, head of pediatric laparoscopic surgery, noted that about half of such cases involve additional congenital defects, prompting thorough evaluations before proceeding with the operation.
Minimally Invasive Procedure
On his third day of life, the infant underwent a two-hour corrective procedure performed by Dr. Al-Kilani and Dr. Zeiger using a minimally invasive approach through three tiny chest incisions, avoiding large surgical scars. Anesthesia was managed by Dr. Maria Rashonebach alongside surgical nurse Smadar Sharabi.
Following successful completion of the surgery and a clear fluoroscopic leak test, the baby was gradually weaned off invasive ventilation. Multidisciplinary support, including speech therapy and physiotherapy, assisted his recovery, allowing the mother to hold him for the first time once the breathing tube was removed.
Return Home and Family Life
The infant has since returned home to Zichron Yaakov to join his older siblings, aged five and a half and four. The family is undergoing routine medical follow-ups as the baby feeds and sleeps normally, marking a joyful return to everyday family life.
