A baby boy who suffered debilitating seizures every two minutes is now expected to lead a normal life after successfully undergoing a 10-hour brain operation.
Four-month-old Adam Ayub suffered his first spasms shortly after being born in May this year.
After undergoing an MRI scan at Bristol Children’s Hospital, it was found that Adam had a brain malformation and he was put on anti-epileptic medication.
However, his seizures began getting progressively worse and he was moved to the intensive care unit, before doctors decided they would need to perform complex brain surgery.
Four-month-old Adam Ayub, who was suffering debilitating seizures every two minutes, is now expected to lead a normal life after successfully undergoing a 10-hour brain operation
Adam is now breathing independently and despite having a few seizures in the first two weeks following the operation in early July, has not had an episode since.
Describing the seizures that her baby suffered from, mother Barbara Sygnecka explained: ‘It was like his brain was on fire, fitting so often and not being able to concentrate on anything else, even the slightest touch could cause so much brain activity.’
She added: ‘The team in the intensive care unit were amazing, they not only took great care of my son but of us as parents as well.’
Doctors decided hemispherotomy was the best course of action, an operation in which the ‘seizing hemisphere of the brain’ is disconnected from the rest of the brain.
Little Adam (pictured in hospital) suffered his first spasms shortly after being born in May this year. After undergoing an MRI scan, it was found that he had a brain malformation and he was put on anti-epileptic medication
Mike Carter, the paediatric neurosurgeon who performed the operation, explained: ‘A hemispherotomy is a major operation that disconnects the seizing hemisphere of the brain electrically from the rest of the brain, whilst leaving the brain tissue intact.
‘It represented a considerable challenge surgically and anaesthetically, because of Adam’s small size and also because he was so critically unwell.
‘However, we were hopeful that there would be a good response and, because of his young age, that the other areas of his brain will eventually be able to take over the function of the damaged section.
‘Epilepsy surgery can revolutionise the lives of young people, and in cases like Adam’s, it can literally save a life.’
After being in the operating theatre for 10 hours, Dr Carter was able to deliver the news that the surgery had been successful.
However, his seizures began getting progressively worse and he was moved to the intensive care unit, before doctors decided they would need to perform complex brain surgery
Adam’s mother Barbara thanked Dr Carter and his team following his son’s successful treatment.
‘Dr Carter was brilliant, he was so positive and has such a big heart, it was great to have everything explained so clearly,’ she said.
‘There are not enough words to say thank you to everyone. PICU [Paediatric Intensive Care Unit], the neurosciences team, physios, speech and language, porters, I’m so grateful for all of them.’
‘Ward 38a made the hospital feel like home, even during the worst of times. I know our journey is not finished, but this place has given my son the chance of a normal life.
‘The staff at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children will always have a special place in our hearts.’