Thanks to a highly skilled multidisciplinary surgical team at Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam) in Haifa, Israel, a life-threatening tumor in a one-month-old infant, was removed from her mouth and throat.
The CT image of the tumor in Yael’s mouth and throat before (left) and after surgery (right). Credit: Rambam HCC.
While in utero, baby Yael* developed a rare tumor—only tens of cases have ever been reported in the literature. From birth, her life was in danger, since the tumor obstructed her airway and made oral feeding difficult. After assessing her condition, the physicians at the regional hospital where she was being treated agreed that it was in her best interest to be transferred to Rambam for specialized care. Upon her arrival, she was admitted to the Wagner Green Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in the Ruth Rappaport Children’s Hospital.
“The patient was extremely young and small,” explains Dr. Tal Capusha, a specialist in Rambam’s Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery who participated in the surgery. “In her case, there were significant risks since it would be difficult to anesthetize her and manage any bleeding.” According to Dr. Capusha, only a specially trained and experienced medical team could perform this complex surgical intervention in an infant or small child.
At Rambam, Yael was fed through a feeding tube and her vital signs were closely monitored. As soon as her condition allowed, hospital specialists moved forward with the complicated surgery. The surgery lasted several hours and the team removed the tumor without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue.
The delicate and complex procedure was performed under the direction of Professor Adi Rachmiel, director of the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Drs. Omri Emodi, the Department’s deputy director and Tal Capusha performed the surgery together with Dr. Vasile Recea, the deputy director of Rambam’s Anesthesiology and Recovery Room.
The surgery was successful, and Yael spent several days recovering in the pediatric ICU. Dr. Capusha notes that Yael may need further rehabilitative treatment and palate reconstruction. Regarding the cause of the tumor, he explains, “It could be due to a congenital anomaly, genetic disease, a teratogen in the womb, or an unknown source. In any case, worldwide, only dozens of cases are reported annually.”
The success of this complex case exemplifies the professionalism and dedication of Rambam’s medical teams, who spared no effort to treat and save Yael’s life.
*Name changed to protect her identity.
Komentáře