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.

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 is closed up and the mother is awakened.

External links

---

• The Brown Fetal Treatment Program - Providence, Rhode Island
• UCSF Fetal Treatment Center: What is Fetal Intervention?
• Fetal Care Center of Cincinnati -- Fetal Surgery Interventions

See also

---

• image-guided surgery
• fetoscopy
• fetendo
• EXIT procedure
• Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Obstetrics | Surgery