At 23 weeks of pregnancy, Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye and his team removed a baby from the mother’s womb, performed a delicate operation to remove a sacrococcygeal teratoma (a tumor at the base of the baby’s tailbone), and then placed the baby back in the womb to continue developing. The baby was later born healthy and naturally at 36 weeks.
Although fetal surgeries like this are extremely rare, Dr. Olutoye’s achievement was widely recognized as a groundbreaking medical feat.
Biography of Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye
Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye is a distinguished pediatric surgeon and fetal surgery specialist known for his expertise in complex surgical procedures on unborn babies.
Early Life and Education
Born in Nigeria, Dr. Olutoye earned his medical degree (MBBS) from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
He later moved to the United States, where he obtained a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from the University of Kentucky.
He completed his general surgery residency at the Medical College of Virginia and his pediatric surgery fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.
Career and Achievements
Dr. Olutoye is internationally recognized for his contributions to fetal and neonatal surgery.
In 2016, while working at Texas Children’s Hospital, he led a team that performed a groundbreaking surgery to remove a tumor from a baby at 23 weeks, then safely returned the baby to the womb.
His work has been featured in major media outlets like CNN, BBC, and other global news platforms.
He has held leadership roles in top medical institutions, including being Co-Director of the Fetal Center at Texas Children’s Hospital.
In 2019, he was appointed as Surgeon-in-Chief at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio, USA.
Contributions and Legacy
Dr. Olutoye is a member of several prestigious medical organizations, including the American Pediatric Surgical Association and the American College of Surgeons. He continues to mentor young doctors and contributes to the advancement of pediatric and fetal surgery worldwide.
