Fetoscopic photography

Fetoscopic visualization may be used for the prenatal diagnosis of external structural malformations of the fetus. Objective documentation of these fetoscopic findings would be desirable. The photographic equipment and techniques required for fetoscopic photography have been investigated, and the results of these investigations with standard fetoscopic instruments in current clinical usage are described. The factors evaluated include the light source, camera equipment, camera settings and film.     

胎盘浅表血管分布类型对胎儿镜激光手术治疗双胎输血综合征术后残留吻合血管发生的影响

目的:探讨胎盘浅表血管分布类型对胎儿镜激光手术治疗双胎输血综合征（TTTS）术后残留吻合血管（RA）发生的影响。方法:回顾性分析2014年4月至2019年4月间于北京大学第三医院行胎儿镜激光凝固吻合血管术（FLOC）治疗TTTS,且最终在本院分娩的57例产妇的临床资料和分娩后胎盘灌注情况。根据术后胎盘是否发生RA分为R...     

Fetoscopic approach to amniotic band syndrome

Background

Amniotic band syndrome (ABS) is an uncommon complication of pregnancy that can result in fetal demise.

Methods

We present our experience with fetoscopic amniotic band release.

Results

Five patients underwent fetoscopic amniotic band release for preoperatively diagnosed ABS involving at least one extremity. Four of five patients were found to have involvement of the umbilical cord at the time of fetoscopy. One of these four did not have the band released and underwent fetal demise at 24 weeks. All four survivors had good functional outcomes of affected limbs. Two patients developed membrane separation and had preterm deliveries at 32 weeks gestation whereas the other two carried to term. No maternal complications were noted.

Conclusions

Fetoscopic amniotic band release is safe. Umbilical cord involvement is difficult to assess preoperatively, but when it is present should be treated to reduce the risk of fetal demise.     

Severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome: outcome after fetoscopic laser ablation of the placental vascular equator

Objective  To assess the safety and efficacy of a modified fetoscopic laser ablation technique for the management of severe twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) in a large series of pregnancies.
Design  Prospective cohort study.
Setting  Tertiary referral fetal medicine unit.
Population  Women with pregnancies complicated by severe TTTS (Quintero stage III or IV), before 26 weeks of gestation.
Methods  Fetoscopic laser ablation of placental anastomoses was performed. The sonoendoscopic approach was used to identify the placental vascular equator and to photocoagulate crossing vessels.
Main outcome measures  Overall survival, fetal and perinatal mortalities, gestational age at delivery, birthweight, operating time and recurrence of TTTS.
Results  A total of 77 women underwent the procedure. The mean gestational age at treatment was 20 (range 16–26) weeks. On average, four vessels were ablated during each procedure, with a mean operative time of 15 (range 5–25) minutes. None of the women required a repeat fetoscopic laser treatment for recurrence of the TTTS. There was at least one survivor in 74% (57/77) of pregnancies, and the overall survival rate was 57% (88/154).
Conclusions  Fetoscopic laser ablation is a safe and effective form of treatment in the management of severe TTTS. The technique of identifying the common villous district of the placenta by ultrasound and photocoagulating any vessels crossing the vascular equator appears to be an acceptable alternative to both the nonselective and highly selective methods described so far. This approach is associated with a short operating time, low likelihood of TTTS recurrence or fetal anaemia and with survival results that are equivalent to previously reported techniques.     

Percutaneous fetoscopic patch closure of human spina bifida aperta: advances in fetal surgical techniques may obviate the need for early postnatal neurosurgical intervention

Background  A percutaneous minimally invasive fetoscopic approach was attempted for closure of a spina bifida aperta in two fetuses with L5 lesions. The goal was to obviate the need for postnatal neurosurgery to manage this condition. Methods and Results  The percutaneous fetoscopic procedures were performed by a two-layer approach at respectively 22 ± 2 and 22 ± 4 weeks of gestation. The fetuses were delivered respectively at 32 ± 6 and 32 + 3 weeks of gestation. Their neural cords were completely covered although in small areas skin closure was incomplete. Postnatally, complete skin closure occurred beneath an occlusive draping within 2 to 3 weeks such that neurosurgical intervention was not required. Both neonates showed reversal of hindbrain herniation, near-normal leg function, and satisfactory bladder and bowel function. For one of the two fetuses, ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion was not required. Conclusions  Percutaneous minimally invasive fetoscopic patch closure of spina bifida aperta offers a substantially less maternal trauma than open fetal surgical repair and currently may even obviate the need for postnatal neurosurgical repair. With a little further improvement in surgical techniques and a better understanding of incorporating surgical patches into the fetus, complete skin closure seems possible in the near future.     

Transabdominal embryofetoscopy for the detection of short rib-polydactyly syndrome, type II(Majewski), in the first trimester

Our aim was to demonstrate the potential of first-trimester embryofetoscopy for prenatal diagnosis in a continuing pregnancy. A patient at risk for giving birth to an infant with short rib-polydactyly syndrome, type II (Majewski), presented for prenatal diagnosis at 9 weeks of gestation. A 1 mm semirigid fiberoptic endoscope with an 18 gauge examination sheath and a single-chip digital camera were used for transabdominal embryofetoscopy. Transabdominal embryofetoscopy was performed at 13 weeks of gestation. Direct visualization of the fetus was achieved and no gross limb or facial abnormalities were seen. This case shows that embryofetoscopy is a useful tool for early diagnosis in high-risk patients in the first trimester for continuing pregnancies.     

双胎输血综合征选择性胎儿镜激光凝固手术前后胎儿心肌力学的研究

目的 探讨双胎输血综合征(TTTS)选择性胎儿镜激光凝固术(SFLP)前后供血胎儿和受血胎儿的心肌力学改变.方法 2007年10月至2010年3月对25例TTTS孕妇行SFLP,手术前24h和手术后1周行胎儿超声心动图检查,并采集胎儿二维标准四腔心数字化图像,用速度矢量成像(VVI)软件分析心脏左室和右室长轴方向的心肌应变、收缩期应变率(SRs)和舒张期应变率(SRd).结果 与术前比较,SFLP术后,供血胎儿心胸比增大(分别为0.29±0.03、0.34±0.05,P＜0.01),出现三尖瓣反流(7例)和心包积液(5例),心肌力学方面:左室和右室的心肌应变、SRs和SRd均明显减低[左室心肌应变:(-19.24±3.68)％、(-13.78±3.64)％,P＜0.01;左室SRs:(-2.28±0.53)、(-1.43±0.41)s-1,P＜0.01;左室SRd:(1.67±0.43)、(1.15±0.70) s-1,P＜0.01;右室心肌应变:(-20.20±3.19)％、(- 16.10±3.07)％,P＜0.01;右室SRs:(-2.03 ±0.65)、(-1.72±0.38) s-1,P＜0.05;右室SRd:(1.71±0.30)、(1.50±0.36) s-1,P＜0.05];而受血胎儿心胸比减小(分别为0.42±0.04、0.37±0.04,P＜0.01),左室和右室的心肌应变、SRs和SRd均明显升高[左室心肌应变:(-10.62±2.72)％、(- 16.46±3.23)％,左室SRs:(-1.09±0.30)、(-1.60±0.31)s-1,左室SRd:(0.99±0.34)、(1.53±0.32) s-1,右室心肌应变:(- 11.66±4.56)％、(- 17.96±3.97)％,右室SRs:(- 1.26±0.39)、(- 1.74±0.45)s-1,右室SRd:(1.15±0.49)、(1.63±0.44)s-1;P＜均0.01].结论 SFLP术后短时间内(1周),受血胎儿的心功能明显得到改善,而供血胎儿心功能则减退.