ORLANDO, FLA. (WSVN) – An Orlando family is celebrating their miracle baby after a first-of-its-kind surgery was performed to save their baby\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
A groundbreaking surgery allowed the Joubert family\u2019s son, Cassian, to be born twice.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur baby was getting sicker and sicker. And we knew that we had to do something, if there was anything to be done, that could save Cassian\u2019s life,\u201d said Keishara Joubert, Cassian\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were on a race against time,\u201d said Gregory Joubert, Cassian\u2019s father.<\/p>\n
At 19 weeks into Keishara\u2019s pregnancy, doctors diagnosed Cassian with congenital high airway obstruction syndrome, a very rare and often deadly condition where a baby\u2019s airway is blocked before birth.<\/p>\n
One surgical procedure was unsuccessful, so doctors presented a new option, one they had never done before.<\/p>\n
Cassian briefly entered the world at just 25 weeks old, marking the first time that type of surgery has ever been successful for a baby with the condition.<\/p>\n
While waiting for Cassian\u2019s arrival, the family got an early look at their son.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were able to open mom\u2019s abdomen, her tummy, open the uterus itself, deliver only the baby\u2019s head outside of the uterus, and expose the neck. Then we placed the baby back into the uterus, and we closed the uterus. Mom stayed in the hospital until delivery,\u201d said Emanuel Viastos, Medical Director at Orlando Health Women\u2019s Institute Fetal Care Center.<\/p>\n
The Joubert family is deeply grateful to the medical team that helped bring their son into the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very pleased to be able to be successful with this first surgery,\u201d said Viastos.<\/p>\n
To address a blockage that keeps him on a ventilator, Cassian still faces two other surgeries before he turns 2.<\/p>\n
During the long journey, the family has found moments to pause and celebrate what matters most.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019re planning a small party for his first birthday, the anniversary of the surgery that saved his life,\u201d said Keishara.<\/p>\n
Both parents are celebrating the major surgery that saved their son\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were a lot of challenges where we had to be ready to say goodbye, but we said hello,\u201d said Gregory.<\/p>\n
Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome affects one in every 50,000 to 100,000 births and is often fatal.<\/p>\n
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