In a groundbreaking medical procedure, a baby underwent a $5 million surgery to remove half of his brain. This extraordinary case has captured the attention of the medical community and the public alike, highlighting the incredible advancements in neurosurgery and the resilience of the human brain.
From the moment the baby boy, named Caper, was born to Andalucia Mesa in a Los Angeles hospital in November 2023. She and her husband Charles knew that something was wrong. “Everyone else in the room is freaking out because he was purple since he hadn’t been breathing,” she said to PEOPLE. “And then they whisked him away very quickly.”
Caper’s life began in distress, and there was more to come. “He was born with fluid in his lungs,” Andalusia says. “They were worried about there being an infection. He was born not breathing, he was code blue. And so he just started off immediately in the NICU [neonatal intensive care unit].” The baby, diagnosed with a severe form of epilepsy known as Rasmussen’s encephalitis, experienced frequent and debilitating seizures. Rasmussen’s encephalitis is a rare, chronic inflammatory neurological disease that typically affects one hemisphere of the brain. The condition leads to progressive brain damage, resulting in severe seizures, loss of motor skills, and cognitive decline.
Initially the doctors dismissed the parents’ suspicions that Caper was having seizures, but after initiating a 24-hour EEG, within 30 minutes the seven-day old infant had a seizure. “After 30 minutes, seizures cause brain damage. So, he was likely getting one week’s worth of brain damage already out of the gate. And it’s possible that he was having seizures in utero and that’s why his movement was so abnormal.”
After exhausting all other treatment options, including medications and less invasive procedures, the medical team and the Mesas made the difficult decision to proceed with a hemispherectomy, a radical surgical procedure that involves removing or disconnecting one half of the brain. This surgery is considered a last resort for patients with severe epilepsy that cannot be controlled by other means.
The surgery, which took place at a renowned medical center, was a complex and lengthy procedure. The medical team, consisting of top neurosurgeons, neurologists, and anesthesiologists, worked meticulously to remove the affected hemisphere while preserving the baby’s vital functions. The cost of the surgery, estimated at $5 million, reflects the complexity and expertise required for such a high-risk procedure.
In the months following the surgery, the baby underwent intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help the baby regain motor skills, improve cognitive function, and adapt to the changes in their brain.
The harrowing journey is not over for little Caper. In an unprecedented decision, the medical team has planned a second surgery to remove the remaining hemisphere of the baby’s brain. This decision is based on the continued presence of severe seizures and the need to prevent further brain damage. The second surgery, scheduled for the coming months, will be another complex and high-risk procedure.
The removal of the second hemisphere is likely to be even more harrowing and hazardous, but the success of the first surgery and the baby’s progress in rehabilitation provide a foundation of hope for the second procedure.
The journey has been incredibly challenging for the baby’s family. The family has received support from their community, including fundraising efforts to help cover the costs of the medical procedures and therapies.
The $5 million surgery to remove half of a baby’s brain, and the planned removal of the other half, represent a remarkable chapter in the history of neurosurgery.
You can make a donation at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-caper-mesas-journey-to-recovery
