Fetal surgery appointment

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has appointed Professor Jacques Jani as a visiting professor to the Fetal Treatment Programme at the RCSI and Rotunda Hospital.
Prof Jani began his tenure as an Honorary Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Rotunda Hospital at the end of October. His appointment will facilitate the development and expansion of fetal surgical treatments in Ireland, the RCSI claims.

“Fetal surgery is a critically important aspect of our programme for improving paediatric health. The arrival of Prof Jani at the Rotunda heralds a new era of advances in fetal medicine, which will expand the range of fetal malformations amenable to treatment,” said the Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at RCSI, Professor Fergal Malone.
Prof Jani is recognised as a world leader in fetal surgical procedures such as fetal balloon therapy for congenital diaphragmatic hernia. He is currently Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University Hospital Brugman, Brussels, Belgium, and Director of Fetal Medicine and Minimally Invasive Fetal Surgery.
Both Ireland’s first successful fetal EXIT procedure as well as the country’s first fetal laser surgery for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome were performed at the The Fetal Treatment Programme at the Rotunda. The Programme provides innovative intrauterine treatments for a range of complex fetal problems.
Dr Sam Coulter-Smith, The Master of the Rotunda Hospital, welcomed Prof Jani’s appointment, saying: “We look forward to developing new fetal surgical procedures for the benefit of Irish patients.”
The appointment is funded through the Science Foundation Ireland E.T.S Walton Visitor Award.