In the last three decades alone, fetal surgery has grown from just a “fanciful concept” to a medical field of its own. The first documented fetal surgery was performed in 1963 by A. William Liley in Auckland, New Zealand. This procedure was done for a baby positive for hemolytic anemia. Hemolytic anemia is a disease in which a person has an abnormally low amount of red blood cells which can cause fatigue, oxygen loss, and arrhythmia. This condition must be treated promptly. In the procedure, Liley inserted a hollow needle through the abdomen of the pregnant mother, and into her fetus’s abdomen. Liley then transfused the baby’s blood. This procedure was successful and saved the infant from death in the second or third trimester.
After this first surgery, the field expanded and more surgeons began working on fetuses. One of the most prominent advances in fetal surgery was made in the early 1980s by Alfred De Lorimer and Michael R. Harrison at the University of California, San Francisco--Treatment of spina bifida before birth.
After this first surgery, the field expanded and more surgeons began working on fetuses. One of the most prominent advances in fetal surgery was made in the early 1980s by Alfred De Lorimer and Michael R. Harrison at the University of California, San Francisco--Treatment of spina bifida before birth.
Left to right: Alfred De Lorimier & Dr. Michael Harrison