Doctors Perform the First Ever In-Utero Brain Surgery

In 2023, Derek and Kenyatta Coleman discovered their baby girl (Denver) suffered from vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) at 30 weeks of pregnancy. VOGM is a rare blood vessel malformation inside the brain. Arteries in the baby’s brain cause high-pressure blood to flow into the veins, leading to severe brain injury or loss of brain tissue. The Colemans heard of a clinical trial that could treat Denver’s condition in-utero. In an attempt to save her life, the Colemans traveled to Boston where doctors performed the first-ever in-utero brain surgery. The surgeon medicated Denver and carefully inserted a needle through Kenyatta’s abdomen, and threaded a catheter through the needle, allowing tiny coils to fill the vein, slow blood flow, and reduce pressure. The surgery was successful. Two days later, Kenyatta went into pre-term labor, and baby Denver made her debut. Thankfully, after a two month check-in, Denver is thriving and doctors do not believe she will need any additional intervention!