Use of ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure in fetal neck and high airway anomalies - report of four clinical cases.

PURPOSE

To present antenatal management and use of ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) in different fetal neck and high airway anomalies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We have presented four different cases of fetal neck or airway pathology which were indications for EXIT, at our department.

RESULTS

In three cases of fetal neck tumors, the primary precise antenatal diagnoses of tumors were confirmed after birth. The airways of all three fetuses were properly secured during EXIT by laryngologist. All these newborns survived. In the fourth case, a primary, antenatal diagnosis of congenital high airway obstruction syndrome due to severe trachea obstruction was not confirmed after birth. Finally, due to complete trachea dysgenesis, neither tracheoscopy nor tracheostomy was done during EXIT and the baby died.

CONCLUSION

Despite a failure of intrapartum treatment in the fourth case, we strongly recommend this procedure for deliveries of fetuses with a suspicion of airway obstruction.