Bambino Gesù hospital removes rare tumor using 3D simulation

Surgeons at the Bambino Gesù pediatric hospital in Rome have successfully removed a complex neuroblastoma from a one-year-old girl. The tumor had extended into the spinal canal, compressing a nerve responsible for leg movement.

To ensure the complete removal of the mass while preserving critical nerve structures, the medical team utilized 3D reconstructions and virtual simulations to plan the procedure. This advanced preparation allowed the surgical team to deviate from the traditional abdominal approach, opting instead for a back access that was better suited to the tumor's specific anatomy.

The multidisciplinary operation involved oncological surgeons, neurosurgeons, neurophysiologists, and anesthesiologists. During the surgery, the nervous system was monitored in real-time using intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring to safeguard nerve function.