Unborn babies diagnosed with certain health conditions may need surgery. Fetal surgery is performed when babies are still in the uterus (before they are born). Sometimes health conditions worsen over time, so it may be important to operate before birth.
The fetal care surgical team includes surgeons, obstetricians, neonatologists and other health care providers with decades of experience and expertise in treating mothers and babies with complex health needs. They work together to make sure you get the care and support you need from the time your baby is diagnosed through surgery, birth and beyond.
Depending on the diagnosis and other factors, your care team may recommend:
The fetal care center offers a full range of treatments including, but not limited to:
Spina bifida is a condition where the spine and spinal cord don’t develop properly. In a type called myelomeningocele, the spinal cord is exposed on the baby’s back. It can cause paralysis in the legs and bladder and bowel problems, and it increases the risk of infection.
It’s usually treated with open fetal surgery by a large team of specialists between 19 and 26 weeks of gestation. It can help improve your child’s ability to walk and reduce the need for shunts after birth to treat hydrocephalus and ventriculomegaly.
In TTTS, the blood flow between identical twins who share a placenta isn’t equal, so one twin gets too much blood and the other gets too little. It’s risky for both twins and can be fatal for both if it’s not treated.
A surgeon can treat it with fetoscopic laser therapy, a minimally invasive procedure that uses lasers to keep blood from being shared from one twin to the other. It’s usually performed with minimally invasive techniques and local anesthesia.
Hydrothorax is fluid building up in the chest, and bladder outlet obstruction is a blockage in the urinary tract. Both can be treated by surgically placing a shunt (a hollow tube) so the fluid can get past the obstruction.
The procedure is usually done between 18 and 26 weeks of gestation, with ultrasound guidance. Afterward, the care team closely monitors the mother and unborn baby to make sure the shunt is working correctly.
Some babies may have medical problems that would make it hard for them to breathe on their own.
With a specialized treatment called the ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure, a baby is partially delivered surgically and stays attached to the placenta with the umbilical cord. Surgeons can then operate before the baby starts breathing, while the baby still gets oxygen from the placenta.
Fetal surgery is complex, challenging and not without risk. Banner Health’s experienced team provides expert, comprehensive care and support for mothers and unborn babies. You and your family are at the center of the decision-making process and you’re involved every step of the way. Your provider will explain all aspects of your procedure and answer all questions. Our goal is for you and your family to make a well-informed decision and feel comfortable with your treatment plan.
If you would like a consultation or more information about fetal surgery at Banner Health, reach out to connect with our team of experts at 1-844-790-4320.
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