A Mater surgeon has performed life-changing surgery on little Lewis Porter after he was born with a rare congenital disorder which caused major deformities to his limbs.
Lewis, from the Gold Coast, was born with Constriction Ring Syndrome, which occurs when free-floating fibrous tissue in the uterus wraps itself around the limbs of a fetus.
The condition affects one in 1200 newborns. The resulting tissue bands restrict blood flow and can lead to deformities, swelling, developmental problems, amputation and even death.
Mater Private Hospital Brisbane plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Diana Kennedy performed multiple surgeries on Lewis, the first when he was just seven months old, to release the bands constricting his limbs.
Dr Kennedy said watching Lewis, now aged four, run alongside his best mate and twin brother Ethan was "absolutely amazing".
In Lewis' case, the disorder affected his left leg and caused bilateral clubfoot.
"Lewis had several surgeries to systematically release multiple constriction rings of his left legs, fingers and toes," Dr Kennedy said. Each operation took around two hours.
"By releasing the bands, we could optimise the appearance and function of Lewis' limbs," Dr Kennedy said.
"Without release, Lewis' leg, toes and fingers could have become more swollen and affected his nerves and vessels.
"There was a risk of requiring amputation if the surgeries did not happen."
She said Lewis had "kept up very well" with his brother who was unaffected by the condition.
Gold Coast parents Alana and Travis Porter, both 41, were "shocked" when doctors revealed Lewis had "something wrong" with his feet and left leg during Mrs Porter's 20-week scan.
"We were told his leg may self-amputate in utero, but the doctors would do regular scans to keep an eye on his leg and check on Lewis and Ethan's growth," Mrs Porter said.
Mrs Porter said when Lewis was born, she noticed the amniotic bands had caused damage to the fingers on his left and right hands, his right foot and toes, and his left leg from under his knee causing his limbs to look different.
"When I first saw Lewis's leg at birth, I just kept thinking how perfect he is and thought his leg looked okay, the banding was around his leg but there was no swelling at the time," Mrs Porter said.
"As Lewis grew, we saw the effect the banding had on his leg, and that's when we became more concerned about the damage it was causing.
"We were given reassurance when he was born that he would be okay and that he would need quite a few surgeries throughout his childhood."
Mrs Porter said she remembered feeling "very anxious and scared" for Lewis' first appointment with Dr Kennedy.
"We walked away feeling so happy and hopeful. It was probably the first time since my 20-week pregnancy scan that I felt a huge weight lift from my chest," she said.
"We are so thankful to her and blessed we had her as Lewis' surgeon."
Mrs Porter said Lewis has worn a custom-made leg brace for the last 14 months, designed to gently stretch and keep his leg in a corrected position.
"Nothing has slowed Lewis down after his surgeries," she said.
"He runs, jumps, climbs, swims, paints, draws, and he loves playing with his friends.
"He's a little boy on a mission."
Mrs Porter said while they had spent a lot of time in hospital since the twins were born, it was "heartwarming" to watch them play together.
"Lewis and Ethan are best mates who are always looking out for each other, they have their moments like all siblings, but when we take Lewis to a hospital appointment or somewhere without the other, they miss each other so much," she said.
"The boys love playing with their sisters Scarlett and Everly, and love seeing their older brother William when he visits."
