Terengganu hospital performs EXIT operation on 37-week-old foetus

Dr Nor Azimi Yunus

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 2 (Bernama) -- The Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital has created history when it successfully performed the ‘ex utero intrapartum treatment’ (EXIT) on a 37-week old foetus.

Its director, Dr Nor Azimi Yunus said the foetus had a 2.7 kg growth on the face and neck and an EXIT operation was performed with only the head and half of the body of the foetus taken out of the mother’s womb.

‘’It is the first EXIT operation in Terengganu. Prior to this, specialists from the hospital would go to hospitals in other states if there is a need to perform the operation,’’ she told a media conference here today.

The operation on Jan 22 involved a group of specialists and sub-specialists from four departments, namely, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Pediatrics Department and Anesthesiology Department.

She said the growth was diagnosed as 'giant cystic hygroma' which was very dangerous because it constricted the foetus’ respiratory system.

-- BERNAMA