Dell Children's Performs First In Utero Fetal Surgery
The local hospital can now treat complex fetal conditions like spina bifida without requiring families to travel outside Austin.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Children’s Health
Families facing complex pregnancy diagnoses now have access to specialized care in Austin after Dell Children's Medical Center performed the city's first in utero surgery. The procedure addressed myelomeningocele, a condition where the spinal canal fails to close properly during development.
Why it matters
This milestone marks a significant expansion in local pediatric care, offering a critical intervention that helps preserve motor function and reduces long-term health complications for newborns. Previously, families often had to travel outside the region for such high-level fetal surgical procedures.
The Comprehensive Fetal Care Center performed the region's first in utero neural tube defect surgery, marking a shift from the previous standard of local care. It remains unknown how many similar procedures the facility will perform annually moving forward.
The players
Dell Children's Medical Center
The local hospital where the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center is based.
Alireza Shamshirsaz
The lead surgeon who performed the city's first in utero procedure.
The details
The surgical team, led by Alireza Shamshirsaz, successfully operated on the fetus while in the uterus. Patients typically receive a diagnosis through second-trimester ultrasounds and fetal MRI, allowing the clinical team to develop a personalized treatment plan. This early intervention is designed to reduce the risk of Chiari II malformation and limit the future need for shunt placement.
Timeline
Second trimester: Diagnosis occurs via ultrasounds and fetal MRI.
The Texas Context
The Comprehensive Fetal Care Center is expanding its surgical capabilities to handle high-risk fetal conditions locally. This development follows a regional trend toward centralizing complex pediatric specialty care within the Austin medical corridor.
Families in Central Texas managing a myelomeningocele diagnosis no longer need to travel to other cities for this specialized prenatal surgery. This local capability offers a new option for parents navigating second-trimester care plans with their medical providers.
The takeaway
Early detection remains the most critical factor for families, as the surgical window relies on second-trimester diagnosis. Parents should consult with their obstetricians or specialists at the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center if early screenings indicate potential neural tube issues.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in local pediatric care on our Children’s Health page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KXAN.
