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UNAIR NEWS – A team of doctors at ¶«¾©ÈÈ Hospital (RSUA) succeeded in conducting a surgery for Hydrocephalus disease in an infant on Thursday, February 22. The 8-hour surgery involved plastic surgeons, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, ENT experts, and pediatricians. This hydrocephalus case was quite rare because it is accompanied with Craniosynostosis.

Through a press conference held on Friday, February 23 in RSUA, the team of doctors revealed a number of facts related to the surgery. The baby is 1.6 years old named Aqila Kirana Salim, from Batam, Riau Islands.

Kirana suffers from a brain abnormality which needs special treatments.  The brain is pressed by the excessive fluid due to Hydrocephalus. The function of her left eye was disturbed because of a damaged cornea. The surgery involved many teams of doctors.

“The surgery was long because the patient is still an infant. We must stabilize the blood vessels, ensuring the infusion is not jammed during the surgery. So, it is necessary to install better access in the blood vessels. We used to have it in the hands, but we attach it in the thigh and chest area, “said dr. Indri Lakshmi Putri, Sp.BP-RE (KKF) as plastic surgeon of RSUA craniofacial reconstruction.

Dr. Putri said that baby Kirana is strong enough, so her body can make adjustments. During the operation, she continued, the problem was not only in the skull. Half of Kirana’s left eye must be cut (because it has a large volume, ed) and must be aligned with the right eye.

1. Tedy Apriawan Sp.BS, a neurosurgeon, then performed brain fluid analysis. Once it was cleared, the front part of the skull was done. There was a problem, however, the membrane of the brain was squeezed right in the middle. Having attached the head membrane, he and his team helped removing the bone folds. Then, the baby was handed back to dr. Putri for cosmetic reconstruction. It was quite difficult, as there was a lot of bleeding from the head scalp.

“In a very young age, the bleeding was very dangerous. It can be life-threatening. The point is we were trying to reduce as much bleeding as possible, “said dr. Tedy.

At the moment, based on a report of psychiatric team, Kirana’s family could not be interviewed. The family was hopeful on the team from RSUA.

“Later after coming out of the recovery room and Kirana is awake, they can be interviewed,” he said.

Kirana is resting. She is put to sleep so the brain can rest. The baby’s latest condition was still through a critical period, stabilizing blood pressure and pulse.

After the patient is stable, the ENT team will do a hearing screening. While the team of medical rehab, will first focus on the respiratory function. Based on dr. Rosa Falerina Sp.THT-KL ENT specialist, before surgery, baby Kirana experienced delays, both motor and language.

“From what should have been able to walk and talk, but Kirana experienced delay to do it. Medical rehab will begin if Kirana’s condition has stabilized, ” she explained.

Hydrocephalus surgery this time was accessed with BPJS facility, not the first time done in RSUA. Deputy Director of Medical Services dr.Hamzah, Sp.An., KNA said that this is part of community service of RSUA as a hospital owned by UNAIR.

“We hope that Kirana can grow and develop normally. RSUA already has a craniofacial team (head and face disorder, ed). The cost, there is BPJS. We try not to burden the family, “he said. (*)

Author: Binti Q. Masruroh

Editor: Nuri Hermawan