Cape Town - More difficult-to-treat neurological conditions could be treated in no time with minimal bleeding using sophisticated laser technology, after doctors at Red Cross Children’s Hospital successfully removed a delicate brain scar from a Cape Town toddler.
Seventeen-month-old Masslino Franke of Manenberg, who suffered from a brain condition called multiloculated hydrocephalus following extensive bleeding and fluid build-up, which caused a scar in his brain membranes, was recently discharged from the hospital after doctors performed the laser-assisted neuro-endoscopic surgery.
While this minimally invasive surgery had been used in leading medical centres around Europe, it was the first time the intricate procedure was performed in South Africa.
Medical specialists have hailed the latest procedure as an important milestone since the technique provided the finest surgical precision available for such a complicated disease, allowing surgeons to cut through the thickened scar tissue deep within the brain.
Dr Llewellyn Padayachy, the neurosurgeon who performed the operation, said the procedure was so delicate that its planning took some time and involved input from a leading international neurosurgeon experienced in the technique.
Inserted into the head through a single incision of about 2.5cm on the front of the scalp, behind the hairline, the glass-tipped fine laser allowed surgeons to cut through the tough scar tissue, stopping bleeding at the same time.
“The laser cable is so fine that it can be passed through a tiny port in the camera, which allows the team to look through the camera while performing the procedure,” said Padayachy. “The laser has a very precise and controlled cutting margin, allowing the team of paediatric neurosurgeons to use it for minimally invasive procedures deep within the brain.”
Padayachy explained that not only did the procedure cause less pain and scarring, as well as offer faster recovery compared with traditional surgery, it would allow surgeons to perform many more complex, minimally invasive procedures for hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and certain types of tumours.
The tool was also well suited to the needs of South African neurosurgeons because they dealt extensively with brain disease caused by infection, which often sat deep within the brain.
The procedure also provided a learning experience to neurosurgeons from other institutions, who were present to observe, giving them with the opportunity to develop a new dimension to their surgical practices.
Masslino’s mother, Fatiema Franke, said that while the first few days after diagnosis were very traumatic, “we’re glad the operation was a success”.
“He is doing fine and we’ve learnt that our child can lead a better quality of life.”
Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo said such medical innovation would inevitably change the face of medicine.
“This procedure has afforded little Masslino an opportunity to live and not be defined by multiloculated hydrocephalus.”
Cape Argus