A baby still in the womb has been operated on with keyhole surgery to fix spina bifida in a UK first.

Whilst the procedure will not offer a cure for the condition, doctors hope it will help children in the future who otherwise might not be able to walk.

Sherrie Sharp from West Sussex agreed to the surgery after her 20 week scan showed her son Jaxson has spinal issues.

His spinal cord was bulging out of his back causing nerve damage.

The condition, spina bifida, has the potential to cause a range of health problems.

This includes the possibility of paralysis.

The surgery was groundbreaking in the UK because it made use of keyhole surgery techniques.

‘Thrilled with our beautiful boy’

Three small incisions were made into Ms Sharp’s stomach.

A thin camera with a light were then inserted into her woman with surgical tools.

Surgeons reached the exposed spinal cord which was protruding through a hole in Jaxson’s back. They then freed it from surrounding tissues.

They were then able to push it back into place whilst a patch was used to cover the spinal cord.

After three hours, the surgery was complete with specialists happy with the results.

Ms Sharp had agreed to the surgery despite the risk of premature birth.

She said: “When we found out Jaxson had spina bifida I was given a number of options.

“We knew we wanted to keep our baby and I’m here today thanks to the specialists at King’s so I wanted my baby to have the same chance.

“We’re thrilled with our beautiful boy and even though he arrived earlier than expected. He’s doing well and his back is healing nicely.”

Until recently, women carrying a baby with spina bifida who decide to continue with their pregnancy could choose to repair the hole in their baby’s back after birth or opt for invasive surgery.

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