Doctors realized that Freddie Verschueren had a cyst on his tongue while in the womb that could block his airways. A team of 50 medics gathered in the operating theatre for his birth, where they performed a rare, life-saving surgery. Anna, Freddie’s mother, underwent Ex-utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT) to deliver Freddie due to the cyst. Doctors made an incision in Anna’s stomach, delivering Freddie’s head and shoulders first to establish a functioning airway, allowing him to breathe.
The procedure involved healthcare professionals from various backgrounds, including obstetricians, fetal medicine specialists, anaesthetists, paediatric anaesthetists, paediatric ENT surgeons, and others. Consultant obstetrician Professor Asma Khalil led the operation and expressed gratitude for the team’s efforts in delivering the best care to Anna and Freddie. This life-saving EXIT procedure is extremely rare globally, and St George’s is one of the few hospitals in the UK that conducts it, with Freddie being the second baby delivered this way in the hospital this year.
Dr. Richard Jennings, Group Chief Medical Officer for St George’s, praised the hospital’s dedicated and skilled teams for successfully performing the rare procedure. Anna and Peter Verschueren, Freddie’s parents, were impressed by the outstanding care they received at St George’s Hospital throughout the process. Anna expressed confidence in the expertise and advice of the medical team, ensuring that they felt in safe hands. Freddie, weighing 6lbs 8oz at birth, was able to go home with his parents later that day, thanks to the life-saving procedure.
The hospital’s commitment to saving babies’ lives and supporting parents during challenging times was highlighted by Professor Khalil, who finds the rewarding aspect of her job in caring for families in such critical moments. The successful operation on Freddie demonstrated the hospital’s expertise in carrying out complex procedures like the EXIT technique. The dedication of the medical team at St George’s Hospital played a crucial role in ensuring Freddie’s successful birth and recovery, setting a positive outcome for his future.
EXIT procedures are rare around the world, with only a few hospitals, including St George’s in the UK, equipped to perform such specialized birthing techniques. The hospital’s capability in conducting rare procedures and saving the lives of many babies was acknowledged by Dr. Jennings. Freddie’s case showcased the hospital’s proficiency in handling complex medical issues and providing exceptional care to both patients and their families. The collaborative effort of the multidisciplinary team in Freddie’s case exemplified the hospital’s commitment to excellence in healthcare and maternal-fetal medicine.
Anna and Peter Verschueren expressed their gratitude for the outstanding service and care they received at St George’s Hospital. The successful birth of Freddie through the rare EXIT procedure was a testament to the hospital’s expertise and dedication to saving lives. The story of Freddie’s journey from being diagnosed with a cyst in the womb to undergoing life-saving surgery highlights the importance of specialized medical interventions and the remarkable impact they can have on the lives of patients and their families. St George’s Hospital’s role in Freddie’s birth is a testament to the hospital’s commitment to innovation in healthcare and providing exceptional care to all patients.
