Sarah Hawley reported for BBC News, East Midlands on the remarkable story of Vanellope Hope Wilkins, who defied the odds by surviving a rare condition in which she was born with her heart outside of her body back in 2017. Experts described Vanellope as “one of a kind” as she underwent three operations to successfully place her heart back in her chest. The medical anomaly occurred due to a condition known as ectopia cordis, which is extremely rare.
Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, where Vanellope was born, stated that it had no record of any other surviving cases of babies born with their heart outside of their body in the UK. Now at the age of seven, Vanellope underwent revolutionary surgery to reconstruct a protective cage around her heart using her own ribs. The surgery took place at the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre, located at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.
The surgery, which involved a team of around 50 medical staff, was deemed risky due to the complexity of Vanellope’s condition. Consultant pediatric surgeon Nitin Patwardhan, who played a crucial role in the procedure, expressed both nerves and excitement about the life-changing operation. Vanellope’s journey has been one of strength and bravery, as she overcame the initial low chances of survival and continues to make progress in her recovery.
Vanellope faced numerous challenges post-surgery, including wearing a protective chest brace to safeguard her heart. She requires round-the-clock care, as she is autistic and non-verbal. Despite the obstacles, her mother, Naomi Findlay, shared her pride in Vanellope’s progress, describing her as a source of joy and happiness. The successful surgery marks a significant milestone in Vanellope’s ongoing medical journey, offering hope for an improved quality of life in the future
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
