Definitely not make him perfect but as close to being a normal child as he can be. The operation itself is complex - involving making a cut and pulling out the womb from the abdomen, without separating it from the body. The fluid surrounding the foetus is removed and stored, and a second cut through the womb made to access the spine. A neurosurgeon then tries to repair the damage and encase the tiny spine in a protective sheath of tissue, before the fluid is returned, the womb stitched up and placed back into the patient. All the time the surgeons guard against triggering the contractions which will lead to premature delivery.
Previous patients testify to the success of the operation.
Alex and Joyce Garcia's son, Nicholas, had the operation to correct a milder form of spina bifida, and at 18 months, he is now walking. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.