Teddy Jones, Baby Born With Craniosynostosis, Undergoes Hours-long Operation to Save His Vision

Teddy Jones, a baby with a rare skull congenital disability that could have potentially left him blind, has now undergone major surgery to fix his vision. The 18-month-old child from North Yorkshire was born with craniosynostosis, a medical condition wherein the bones in Jones' skull joined together earlier than normal for children his age.

That means that there is not enough room for his brain to grow. According to the Daily Mail, if this condition had been left untreated, Jones' brain could have grown too big for his skull, leading to developmental delays, seizures, and even blindness.

Baby Teddy, who will turn two years old this coming October, underwent the hours-long procedure last week at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, England. It was a delicate operation, to say the least, with surgeons cutting open his head and removing the part of his skull which had developed too early.

Baby Teddy survives a 10-hour operation to fix craniosynostosis

The Liverpool Echo reported that the doctors then remodeled the bones, building Teddy a new forehead to give his growing brain plenty of space. According to Teddy's mother, Beki Jones, the toddler's operation was grueling. Beki said that she dropped her son off for the major surgery at about 9 am and only got Teddy back at 6:30 pm, about 10 hours later.

Beki was emotional when talking about the operation, saying, "They've cut his head from ear to ear across the top, removed part of his skull and remodeled it, and put it back." Beki added that the medics took so long in the surgery because it is not one forehead fits all. She said that it is a bespoke thing and that the surgeons have made it so it fits Teddy's face as it did not before.

Read Also: No Child Neglect Charges Filed Against Parents of J.J. Rodriguez in Spencer Dog Mauling Incident

Teddy was absolutely cracking after surgery

The mother was proud to say that Teddy was spritely after the operation, which was surprising given the long hours he spent on the operating table. When Teddy returned from surgery that fixed his rare skull congenital disability, Jones said that the toddler was groggy from all the medication, but he was cracking. Beki added that you would not think her son had been through what he went through.

Beki said that Teddy's eyes swelled up a few days after the operation, which slightly restricted his vision. Jones said he could not open his eyes as they were clamped shut. Beki told Teesside Live that Teddy became frustrated because of that, as he could not run around the place.

That is just a minor setback for young Teddy, who had his craniosynostosis finally fixed. Beki said it is amazing what doctors can do and that Teddy is fortunate that he will now have enough space for his brain to grow into.

Related Article: Mom Shares Experience of Having Twins with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)