Open fetal surgery is an invasive form of fetal intervention in the treatment of birth defects where the uterus is opened up for direct surgery on the fetus. A congenital disorder is a medical condition or defect that is present at or before birth (for example, congenital heart disease). ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ... Fetus at eight weeks Foetus redirects here. ...
Overview
In open fetal surgery, the mother is anesthetized and a hysterotomy is performed; in order to prevent bleeding, a medical stapling device is used. Once the uterus is open and the fetus is exposed, the actual surgical repair work can begin. Upon completion of the fetal surgery, the uterus and abdominal wall are closed up and the mother is awakened. A hysterotomy is an incision in the uterus, commonly combined with a laparotomy during a caesarean section. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ...
All fetal intervention is really maternal-fetal intervention, and the most important consideration in all fetal intervention is the safety of the mother and her reproductive potential.
In open fetalsurgery, the mother is anesthetized, an incision is made in the lower abdomen to expose the uterus, the uterus is opened using a special stapling device to prevent bleeding, the surgical repair of the fetus is completed, the uterus followed by the maternal abdominal wall are closed, and the mother awakened.
For open fetalsurgery, you will be admitted to the Obstetrics Floor the night before surgery, and you can expect to stay 3 to 7 days in the hospital for recovery and for monitoring and management of preterm labor.
Fetalsurgery allows doctors to treat certain abnormalities of the fetus that might otherwise be fatal or cause significant problems if permitted to progress.
Open fetalsurgery is used for CCAM (to remove the cystic mass), myelomeningocele (to close the exposed spine), and SCT (to remove the tumor).
One study of open fetalsurgery used to repair myelomeningocele indicated that the risk of going into premature labor was significantly increased among women who had had the procedure (50% compared to 9% of similar cases with no fetalsurgery performed).