CHOP Doctors Perform Fetal Surgery to Remove Heart Tumor
Published on in CHOP News
The Cella-Paladino family traveled from Uruguay to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to seek care for their unborn son, Juan, who was prenatally diagnosed with a heart tumor. They were referred to the Fetal Heart Program, where Director Jack Rychik, MD, confirmed that Juan had a pericardial teratoma.
Experts from CHOP’s Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment and Cardiac Center came together to perform fetal surgery to remove the tumor from the baby’s heart at just 21 weeks’ gestation. After delivery, Juan underwent a second surgery. The family recently returned home after a five-month stay in Philadelphia.
Watch this story from CBS Philly to meet the family and see how Juan is doing today.