Hyderabad, January 16, 2025: A team of specialists at Little Stars & SHE Women and Children’s Hospital at Road No: 10, Banjara Hills successfully saved the life of a newborn suffering from a rare and critical congenital defect. The infant, born without a diaphragm—a condition preventing separation between the chest and abdominal cavities—had vital organs such as the liver, spleen kidney, stomach and intestines displaced into the chest, creating severe complications. The life-saving procedure was conducted using advanced keyhole surgery, avoiding the need for traditional open surgery. Senior Neonatologist Dr. Satish Ghanta shared the details at a press briefing.
A Rare and Challenging Case
The condition was identified before 20 weeks of gestation during a routine prenatal examination. The parents, Syed Hyder Hussain Naser and Ayesha, a couple from Saudi Arabia, traveled to Hyderabad seeking specialized care. Initial tests conducted at another hospital revealed a large 3x3cm Bochdalek defect, causing severe complications like pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) and lung hypoplasia due to displaced abdominal organs.
Upon evaluation at Little Stars & SHE Women and Children’s Hospital, the team meticulously planned the delivery and surgical intervention. Speaking at a press briefing, Senior Neonatologist Dr. Satish Ghanta explained, “The herniation of abdominal organs into the chest cavity is a rare and critical condition, often fatal without timely surgical intervention. The pressure on the lungs caused severe respiratory distress. After stabilizing the baby’s lung function, surgery was performed on the fourth day after birth.”
Innovative Treatment
During the procedure, the surgical team meticulously repositioned the displaced organs—liver, kidneys, and intestines—back into the abdominal cavity. A synthetic diaphragm (Prolene Mesh) was then grafted / sutured along the defect through Thoracoscopy to prevent future displacement.
The baby’s father expressed deep gratitude to the hospital and its medical team. “We were devastated when we learned about our baby’s condition and sought help from various sources. Finally, we came to know about Little Star’s & SHE Women and Children’s Hospital.
The doctors here performed the surgery using just three tiny incisions, saving our baby’s life. We are immensely thankful to the hospital management, doctors, and staff for their exceptional care.”
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