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Cuba Successfully Performs First Surgery on an Animal Fetus

CUBA, March 25, 2010. - Cuban specialists have successfully performed the country’s first operation on a fetus in a ewe in its 90th day of gestation. Dr. Miguel Gonzalez, a specialist at the William Soler Pediatric Hospital in Havana, said that the success of the surgery is a sign that surgery on human fetuses is not far off

Cuban specialists have successfully performed the country’s first operation on a fetus in a ewe in its 90th day of gestation.

Dr. Miguel Gonzalez, a specialist at the William Soler Pediatric Hospital in Havana, said that the success of the surgery is a sign that surgery on human fetuses is not far off.

Addressing participants at the Fourth Ibero-American Pediatric Surgery Conference that got underway Tuesday in Havana, Dr. Gonzalez explained that in the future, the complex operation will form part of the country’s program of fetal care.

“We have spent several months using ultrasound on the fetuses of ewes to become more familiar with their anatomy. During this first operation we observed the fetus via endoscopy, manipulated it and carried out a skin biopsy, and worked with the amniotic liquid.

“The operation was performed at the National Center for Lab Animals with the participation of specialists from the William Soler Pediatric Hospital in Havana.”

The Fourth Ibero-American Pediatric Surgery Conference gathers experts from 30 countries and 5 continents. Among this year’s primary topics are neonatal surgery, oncology, video-endoscopy and urology. (Cubaminrex – Juventud Rebelde)

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