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SARAWAK General Hospital (SGH) created medical history by becoming the first in Malaysia to successfully perform the nation’s first intrauterine (fetal) surgery for spina bifida.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian who congratulated the hospital, explained that the procedure is performed on a baby in the mother’s womb to repair an open spinal defect, called myelomeningocele.
The surgery was successfully carried out on Sept 22.
"This complex surgery is performed by a specialised, multi-disciplinary team between 19 and 26 weeks of pregnancy.
"It aims to improve neurological outcomes, reduce the need for walking devices, and lower the risk of hydrocephalus as a result of spina bifida," he said.
Dr Sim said this is the first surgery of its kind that is performed in Malaysia and was led by a team of specialists - Dr Tan Lee Na (Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist), Dr Low Peh Hueh (Neurosurgeon), Dr Teo Shu Ching (Anaesthesiologist), Dr Amita (Neonatologist) - all who attended training in Australia last year.
For this surgery, they were supervised by the team from Australia - Professor Dr Sailesh Kumar (Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist), Dr Amelia Jardim (Neurosurgeon) and Dr Aled Hapgood (Anaesthetist).
"The team was assisted by an enthusiastic team from SGH, who include Drs Rafaie Amin, Fara Bashar, Tuscianthi Tata, Ng Pei Meng, Chng Kar Heng, Nasuha, and many many dedicated nurses and assistant medical officers," he added.
The mother, who is in her third pregnancy at 26 weeks was referred from Kuantan, and the unborn baby are recovering well from surgery.
“We pray for the successful full-term birth of the baby at around 40 weeks (of pregnancy),” added Dr Sim. - October 2, 2025