Posted by Chinenye on Tue 08th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
A one year old boy is doing remarkably well after becoming the first child to receive a groundbreaking treatment for a rare skull condition.
(One-year-old Rory Potter. Photo by Sky News)
A baby boy with a rare skull problem is thriving a year after getting a groundbreaking treatment that no other child has had before.
One-year-old Rory Potter from Derbyshire had a condition where his skull fused before birth, which normally requires major surgery in the first few months of life.
Instead of traditional surgery, doctors tried something new special springs made from a super elastic metal that gradually reshape the skull over time.
The springs were custom-made for Rory and inserted during surgery in September.
Over the following weeks, they gently widened the gap in his skull to give his brain room to grow and new bone to form.
Then the springs were removed.
His mum said Rory is now happy, playful and full of energy.
You wouldn't know he's been through anything at all.
She praised the medical team for their care, explaining everything clearly and giving them amazing support throughout.
The new springs are made from nitinol, a metal blend of nickel and titanium.
Unlike the traditional stainless steel springs doctors have used for the past 20 years, these new ones can adapt more naturally to a growing child's skull.
They also mean kids can avoid longer, more invasive operations and need fewer blood transfusions.
The springs were developed by experts at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London.
The lead surgeon said the new technology gives them much better control and can sometimes prevent the need for further surgery down the line.
This first surgery shows real progress for children with this condition.