Baby's Life Saved by EXIT Procedure

 

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Procedures Typically Safe for Mother and Baby

Turbeville said EXIT procedures are not uncommon. He does them about every other year, he said. Even though the procedure itself isn't rare, Benjamin Alonso's condition is.

"It's pretty unusual to see a tumor there, and it's also rare to see them large enough to obstruct the airway," he said.

"They're generally pretty uncommon birth defects that lead to these procedures," said Cole.

Courtesy Cook Children's Medical Center

Claudia Alonso's son Benjamin had a surgical procedure performed to remove a tumor blocking his airway during a cesarean delivery.

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While Benjamin's prognosis has been good, doctors say how other babies fare depends on the nature of what caused them to have the procedure done in the first place. A blocked airway can be caused by a variety of problems, including tumors and genetic conditions.

EXIT procedures also don't generally pose a threat to the mother, unless she already has medical complications such as pre-eclampsia.

Claudia Alonso says she's thrilled that EXIT was a success for her and for Benjamin, whom she calls her "miracle baby." He's breathing on his own, and doctors think they'll be able to remove the feeding tube sometime soon.

His breathing tube came out on October 29, and he cried for the first time since he was born in May.

"I thought I was going to cry, too," his mother said.