Extra Brain
A team of surgeons at the Government Children’s Hospital in Faisalabad made a remarkable medical achievement by successfully operating on a 10-day-old baby girl with a rare congenital condition known as encephalocele.
The operation, led by pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Faisal Feroze Rana, involved the removal of extra brain tissue protruding from an opening in the infant’s skull.
Encephalocele is a rare neural tube defect that causes brain tissue to form outside the skull, creating a sac-like protrusion.
In the case of this baby, named Bibi Rahal, the protrusion was significantly large—almost four times the size of the infant’s head. Dr. Rana and his team managed to repair the opening while preserving the cerebellum, a crucial part of the brain responsible for coordination and movement.
Speaking to the press, Dr. Rana expressed his joy over the successful outcome of the operation, stating, “This surgery showcases the exceptional skill and dedication of our medical team. We are delighted to provide this young girl with the opportunity for a healthy life.”
The family, overjoyed by the success, expressed their gratitude, with the baby’s mother saying, “We are happy. Thanks to God and the doctors.”
Before such advanced procedures were available in Faisalabad, patients had to travel to Lahore for complex medical care. The success of this surgery signals a significant improvement in the region’s healthcare capabilities.
Encephalocele occurs due to a defect in the neural tube, which forms the brain and spine during early pregnancy. If the tube does not close properly, brain tissue can protrude through an opening in the skull.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this defect can form anywhere along the skull, from the forehead to the back of the neck. Surgery is the most effective treatment, and it is generally performed between birth and four months of age.
This medical achievement in Faisalabad is reminiscent of another high-profile case involving conjoined twins from Pakistan, Mirha and Minal.
Born with their heads fused, the 11-month-old twins underwent a life-saving separation surgery in Ankara, Turkey, last year. Their family, unable to find suitable treatment in Pakistan, sought help abroad.
Thanks to the intervention of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the twins were treated by a team of 60 medical professionals led by pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Owase Jeelani.
The complex two-stage surgery lasted 14 hours and was hailed as a significant milestone in pediatric neurosurgery.
Both of these cases underscore the importance of advanced medical interventions in saving lives and improving healthcare outcomes, highlighting the increasing capabilities of medical teams both in Pakistan and abroad.
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