Limitations of visualization of the entire fetus by means of second-trimester fetoscopy.

Fetoscopy with rigid fiber optics was performed under general anesthesia in 9 patients scheduled for therapeutic abortion by hysterotomy with a duration of pregnancy between 12 and 18 weeks. Visualization of fetus and placenta was found to be at random chance and incomplete, and could not be improved by internal or external manipulation. Skin biopsies were obtained in 5 cases. The cord could be recognized in all cases. It is concluded that the haphazard and incomplete visualization of the uterine contents at present precludes the application of second-trimester fetoscopy for early detection of visible congenital fetal abnormalities.