What is open fetal surgery?

What is open fetal surgery?

In open fetal surgery, 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 …

What is a cystic Adenomatoid?

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a benign lung lesion that appears before birth as a cyst or mass in the chest. It is made up of abnormal lung tissue that does not function properly, but continues to grow. CCAM is also frequently referred to as a congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM).

Does fetal surgery hurt the baby?

Risks. Potential risks of the procedure — both the risks to you and those to the unborn baby — should be explained by the doctor. These risks include rupture of the uterus after surgery (uterine rupture), fetal death, operative complications, early labor and potential failure to treat the birth defect.

How is CCAM treated?

Most babies with CCAM are treated with surgery soon after birth or several months later, depending on the severity of the CCAM. A small group of severe cases may be treated before birth with fetal intervention.

What is the difference between neonatal and fetal surgery?

Fetal surgery refers to operations performed on babies still in the womb, while neonatal surgery refers to operations performed on newborns. These types of surgery encompass a wide range of different techniques and are typically used to treat a variety of birth defects.

How do they perform surgery on a fetus?

There are three main types: open fetal surgery, which involves completely opening the uterus to operate on the fetus; minimally invasive fetoscopic surgery, which uses small incisions and is guided by fetoscopy and sonography; and percutaneous fetal therapy, which involves placing a catheter under continuous ultrasound …

What happens to the amniotic sac during fetal surgery?

Upon completion of the fetal surgery, the fetus is put back inside the uterus and the uterus and abdominal wall are closed up. Before the last stitch is made in the uterine wall, the amniotic fluid is replaced. The mother remains in the hospital for 3–7 days for monitoring.

Can CCAM go away?

During that time, the fetus will grow rapidly, and the mass may appear smaller or unchanged. The CCAM may also shrink and even disappear during the third trimester of pregnancy. However, in a small number of cases, the mass may grow to be life-threatening to the fetus.

Is CCAM cancerous?

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a non-cancerous mass usually found on just one side of the lung when the tissue in the lung develops abnormally. These masses can contain fluid-filled cysts.

What do you need to know about open fetal surgery?

Open fetal surgery is a unique operation that requires general anesthesia for the mother. Anesthesia relaxes the uterus and allows the placenta to keep delivering oxygen to the baby.

Where to have open fetal surgery in Colorado?

At the Colorado Fetal Care Center at Children’s Hospital Colorado, we offer world-class open fetal surgery catered to each specific patient. Over the past decade, our fetal surgery team has developed nationally-recognized surgical processes and techniques to intervene in even the most complex situations.

Where can you have surgery in the womb?

Fetal Surgery. The SSM Health Cardinal Glennon St. Louis Fetal Care Institute is one of the few places in the country that performs fetal surgery or surgery in the womb. These open, and minimally invasive procedures can save the lives of babies with various diagnoses before they are born.

How big is the incision for fetal surgery?

Open Fetal Surgery. The fetus is also given medications as needed for pain control and to prevent movement. During the surgery, the surgeon makes a 10-inch incision into the mother’s abdomen and a four to five-inch incision into the uterus using a special device that helps control bleeding and membrane separation.