The Maternal-Fetal Surgery Program of Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana has played a key role in a medical milestone in Asia: the first in-utero myelomeningocele repair performed in Manila, Philippines. This groundbreaking intervention was made possible through a strategic alliance with the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.
The procedure was led by specialists Jorge Hernán Gutiérrez (Maternal-Fetal Medicine), Juan Esteban Salas (Pediatric Neurosurgeon), and Ancízar Joaquín De la Peña Silva (Anesthesiologist), who guided and advised the Filipino medical team throughout the surgery—marking a turning point in the history of fetal healthcare in the country. The surgery was performed on a first-time mother at 26 weeks of gestation, after her baby was diagnosed with myelomeningocele via ultrasound. The procedure was successful and opens new possibilities for the prenatal treatment of congenital malformations in the region.
What is myelomeningocele?
Myelomeningocele, also known as spina bifida, is one of the most common defects of the central nervous system. It affects approximately 1 in every 2,000 newborns and is characterized by an incomplete closure of the neural tube, potentially causing neurological damage, motor limitations, and issues with vital organs. Performing corrective surgery before birth significantly improves the baby’s prognosis and quality of life.
A medical legacy that transcends borders
Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana was a pioneer in Colombia and is the fifth institution in the world to perform in-utero myelomeningocele repair, with its first surgery taking place on December 27, 2005. Since then, it has become a Latin American leader in fetal surgery.
“Each advance in fetal surgery is not just a medical achievement—it’s a victory for the families who place their trust in us. Today, seeing our knowledge change lives in the Philippines fills us with pride and reinforces our commitment to life,” said Dr. Ancízar De la Peña.
Committed to prenatal care
The success of the Maternal-Fetal Surgery Program lies in its interdisciplinary approach, bringing together specialists in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Pediatric Neurosurgery, Anesthesiology, Neonatology, Nursing, and other support areas. This team has been instrumental in high-impact procedures, such as Colombia’s first successful fetal valvuloplasty (in collaboration with Clínica Cardio VID), as well as in the publication of studies in international scientific journals and participation in medical conferences around the world.
With this new achievement, Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana reaffirms its commitment to “Protecting the wonderful gift of life” and to continuing to lead initiatives that improve the future of hundreds of families in Colombia and around the world.
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