During the consultations at Sidra Medicine, a multi-disciplinary team of physicians from maternal fetal medicine, neonatology and pediatric surgery met with the parents to discuss the options available regarding her baby's condition and the care that Sidra Medicine would be able to provide.
Prof. Karim Kalache |
Following regular monitoring of both mother and baby, Branca gave birth to Mikhail via a planned caesarian section at Sidra Medicine. A team of specialists were on hand to ensure that Mikhail would receive immediate medical attention as soon as he was born.
Senior Attending Physician in General and Thoracic Surgery at Sidra Medicine Dr. Guy Brisseau, said: "Children born with Omphalocele can sometimes also have problems with their heart, spine, lungs as well as digestive organs. After Mikhail was born, he underwent a
Dr. Guy Brisseau |
"Many different dressings are available to "paint" the thin sac to protect it from damage and bacteria. We also decided to use a new but ancient technique of honey dressings. Medicinal honey uses the natural ingredients of honey to physically protect the thin sac while we waited for the skin to grow over and protect the sac. Medicinal honey does not have the side effects of previous dressings," continued Dr. Brisseau.
Mikhail was admitted to Sidra Medicines Neonatal ICU as his condition required constant supervision, especially during feeding times as his intestines was partially outside his body.
Div. Chief of NICU at Sidra Medicine Dr. Charlotte Tscherning, said: "Mikhail stayed in our NICU for approximately two months. Feeding babies with Omphalocele is a challenge and
Dr. Charlotte Tscherning |
Mikhail stayed in the neonatal ICU at Sidra Medicine for nearly two and a half months, after which he was discharged. Thanks to a regimen of medication, good skin care and nutrition, his health progressed. However, during the peak of Covid-19, Mikhail was rushed to the childrens emergency department at Sidra Medicine as he started to unexpectedly vomiting black- greenish fluids.
A gastrointestinal scan confirmed that Mikhail had developed an obstruction to his bowel, known as a paraduodenal hernia, a rare congenital anomaly where his small intestine became trapped. The potentially life-threatening condition needed to be treated immediately. Mikhail went into emergency surgery to fix the bowel obstruction. This surgery took three hours and involved a team of two surgeons, three anesthetists and three nurses. Given the need for emergency surgery, the surgeons decided they could also close his belly muscle and fix the omphalocele.
The surgery was a major success where the surgeons rectified the hernia as well as closed the abdominal defect without the use of any mesh. After spending eight days in the pediatric intensive care unit and floor, Mikhail was sent home, and recovered in two months. He still regularly comes to Sidra Medicine for check-ups.