Colombia has taken a historic step in the field of fetal medicine by performing, for the first time in the country —and in Latin America— an intrauterine surgery to treat severe hydrocephalus in a seven-month-old fetus. The procedure was carried out at Clínica General del Norte in Barranquilla and is considered a milestone due to its complexity, the technology used, and its role in opening a new path for treating neurological malformations before birth.
The intervention, performed on April 3, 2026, lasted approximately five hours and used minimally invasive fetoscopy, which made it possible to access the fetal brain through millimetric instruments and a micro-camera without the need for an open incision in the mother’s uterus. The medical team was able to address the progressive hydrocephalus while the baby remained in the womb, reducing risks for the mother and increasing the chances of more favorable neurological development.
A pioneering procedure that marks a before and after in fetal medicine in Colombia
The surgery performed in Barranquilla represents the first intervention of its kind in Latin America focused on hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain’s ventricles. Until now, intrauterine corrections for neurological malformations had mainly been reported in countries such as the United States and some European nations.
The procedure required an interdisciplinary team composed of specialists in endoscopic neurosurgery, perinatology, anesthesiology, and fetal surgery, who worked simultaneously to ensure the stability of both mother and baby throughout the operation. Fetoscopy allowed the drainage of fluid, reduction of intracranial pressure, and halting of the progressive deterioration that threatened the fetal brain’s development.
“This particular surgery, which addresses progressive and severe hydrocephalus, is the first of its kind to be performed in Colombia. It involves accessing the baby’s cerebral ventricles, with the participation of the neurosurgery team, to improve the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid,” said Miguel Parra, one of the specialists who took part in the procedure.
Experts emphasize that this breakthrough opens the door to potential treatments for other complex fetal conditions. However, they note that such surgeries require highly specialized technology and centers with extensive experience, meaning they are not yet available on a widespread basis.
Barranquilla: A regional leader in advanced intrauterine procedures
This is not the first time Barranquilla has positioned itself at the forefront of fetal medicine in Latin America. In 2025, the same Clínica General del Norte performed the region’s first intrauterine procedure to correct gastroschisis, a severe abdominal wall defect that exposes the baby’s organs outside the body. That intervention, also carried out through fetoscopy, was considered an unprecedented achievement in prenatal care.
With the 2026 hydrocephalus case, Barranquilla adds its second consecutive milestone in less than two years, solidifying its role as a regional medical leader. Both interventions share the use of minimally invasive techniques that reduce complications, avoid open surgeries in the mother, and offer better health outcomes for newborns