AR
UR
Doctors at a Dubai hospital have successfully treated a one-day-old baby with a complex Ear Nose Throat (ENT) surgery with the aim of normalising breathing for the newborn.
The baby was suffering from a rare anomaly that occurs in one infant per 10,000 births. He was further referred to Zulekha Hospital Dubai after experiencing breathing difficulties from his nose. He was intubated and kept on ventilator for respiratory support, following which he was admitted to the hospital at the NICU under the care of Dr Deepu Abraham, Consultant Neonatology and Pediatric and Dr Nishath Ahmed, Consultant Neonatologist & Specialist Paediatrics.
Complex and rare condition
Specialist Otolaryngology (ENT) Dr. Vivek Sharma explained that a CT scan clarified that the part of the baby’s nose which opened into the oral cavity was closed on both sides by a bony plate. This rare anomaly is called ‘Bilateral Choanal Atresia’.
Dr Sharma successfully operated the baby with the help of Specialist ENT Surgeon Dr Naveen Gupta and Specialist Anesthetist Dr Shalini Dadu. According to specialists, the complexities of the surgery included the age of the baby and limited access to the affected areas inside his nose.
Healthy recovery
Dr Sharma explained that the surgeons did an endoscopic correction of the anomaly to create a new opening behind the nose to allow neonate to freely breathe from his nose. The postoperative recovery of the baby is progressing well and he was extubated 24 hours after the surgery, the doctor added.
Dr Abraham further noted that some babies can have associated heart and other organ abnormalities in such a condition. The specialists conducted a detailed evaluation of the baby but no other condition was detected.
"The baby was treated in time by our multi-speciality team and discharged in stable condition. The baby is also on complete breastfeeding and is gaining appropriate healthy weight," Dr Abraham added.
The father of the baby hailed the teamwork and dedication displayed by the hospital in managing his son’s condition.
“The team of doctors has been very cautious during my son’s treatment, ensuring the right diagnosis was done in time. I am thankful for the support extended by all," he added.
SOURCE: Gulf News