Fetoscopic insufflation modeled in the extrauterine environment for neonatal development (EXTEND): Fetoscopic insufflation is safe for the fetus.

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive fetal surgery, or fetoscopy, is an alternative to open fetal surgery to repair common birth defects like myelomeningocele. Although this hysterotomy-sparing approach reduces maternal morbidity, the effects of in utero insufflation on the fetus are poorly understood. Our purpose was to determine the optimal fetal insufflation conditions.

METHODS

Fetal sheep at gestational age 104 to 107 days were studied under insufflation conditions in utero and ex utero. The ex utero fetuses were cannulated via their umbilical vessels into a support device, the EXTra-uterine Environment for Neonatal Development (EXTEND). EXTEND fetuses were exposed to four different insufflation conditions for four hours: untreated carbon dioxide (CO) (n=5), warm humidified (whCO) (n=4), whCO with the umbilical cord exposed (n=3), and whCO without amniotic fluid (skin and cord exposed) (n=3).

RESULTS

In utero insufflation led to significant increases in fetal CO and reductions in fetal pH. Ex utero insufflation with whCO did not lead to changes in fetal blood gas measurements or cerebral perfusion parameters. Insufflation with whCO with an exposed umbilical cord led to reduced umbilical blood flow.

CONCLUSIONS

Insufflation with warm humidified CO with an amniotic fluid covered umbilical cord is well tolerated by the fetus without significant changes in hemodynamics or cerebral perfusion parameters.

TYPE OF STUDY

Basic science LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.