Fetal thoracic and bladder shunts.

Congenital obstructive lesions involving the bladder and the lung can lead to serious complications for the newborn. The in-utero placement of a diverting shunt in the fetal bladder or thoracic cavity can decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with these obstructive conditions. This review focuses on the indications for prenatal evaluation, technique, and outcomes for those fetuses with a lower urinary tract obstruction, congenital pleural effusion or macrocystic congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation after placement of a vesicoamniotic or thoracoamniotic shunt.