The medical team at the Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic of the University Clinical Center of Kosovo (UCCK) has successfully performed a rare surgical procedure on a one-week-old newborn diagnosed with a congenital oropharyngeal–nasopharyngeal teratoma (Epignathus).
According to the medical team, this is an exceptionally rare condition, with an estimated incidence of approximately one in every 35,000 to 200,000 live births. It is associated with an extremely high mortality rate—up to 80–100%—if the patient’s airway is not secured in time.
“Following early diagnosis and the emergency securing of the airway by the Neonatology Clinic team, the patient underwent the necessary radiological examinations and multidisciplinary evaluation. The case was managed by the Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic in close cooperation with the teams from Neonatology, Anesthesiology, Radiology, and the Institute of Pathology,” the statement said.
The surgery was performed by the Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic team under the leadership of Dr. Alban Olluri, with the support of the anesthesiology team led by Dr. Agreta Gashi Gecaj.
“The tumor was completely removed while preserving the surrounding anatomical structures to the greatest extent possible and without any intraoperative complications. The postoperative recovery has been highly favorable. The baby is breathing independently, feeding normally, and remains under the care of the medical teams,” the statement added.
According to UCCK, the case represents one of the institution’s most significant and successful surgical interventions, highlighting the high level of professional expertise and multidisciplinary collaboration in the treatment of rare and complex conditions in newborns.
