Local family's life changed by surgery using advanced 3D camera equipment

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — A life-changing procedure is the reality for a local family with the help of 3D camera equipment.

On Tuesday, MUSC showed a demonstration of a surgical tool that lowers surgery time for patients and offers better anatomy optics for surgeons.

And for local mother, Penny Sharp, it was an answer to her worst nightmare.

"Everly had a stroke shortly after she was born," Sharpe said.

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Her child had seizures every day as a result.

Sharp knew her daughter Everly needed a positive outcome, but the procedures left her worried.

"We knew that one of the side effects of the surgery may be that she not walk again," Sharp said.

MUSC adopted the Synaptive Exoscope four years ago. It gives surgeons a three-dimensional look at areas needing to be focused on during surgery without pain to patients.

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"The other benefit of this technology is that it helps you avoid complications," said Sunil Patel, a chairman of Neurosurgery at MUSC. "The outcomes are much better. And even looking at the pathology that you're treating, whether it's clipping an aneurysm, removing a tumor, removing a herniated disc in the back, removing pineal cysts. This is improving."

It's been since 2022 that Everly had a seizure. Her parents are overjoyed that her health has improved.

"That was a gift to be able to know your daughter," Sharp said. "People take that for granted. But after the surgery, we were able to see her, how she was, and she's really funny. I believe with all of my heart that this equipment did that and helped him and us in such a successful surgery.

Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital uses this equipment for pediatric surgeries.

MUSC is working to bring the technology to its main hospital site as well.