title: The OOPS procedure (operation on placental support): in utero airway management of the fetus with prenatally diagnosed tracheal obstruction.
abstract: Tracheal obstruction of the newborn caused by cervical masses such as teratomas and cystic hygromas can result in a profound hypoxic insult and even death, owing to an inability to establish an adequate airway after birth. Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of these congenital anomalies permits (1) anticipation of an airway problem at the time of delivery and (2) formulation of an algorithm for airway management while oxygen delivery to the baby is maintained through the placental circulation. This is the report of a fetus in whom a large anterior cervical cystic hygroma was detected by prenatal ultrasonography. A multidisciplinary management team was assembled, and an algorithm for airway management was developed. Elective cesarean delivery of the fetal head and thorax, under conditions of uterine tocolysis, permitted a controlled evaluation of the airway and endotracheal intubation while oxygen supply to the infant was maintained through the placenta. The baby remained intubated, and 2 days later underwent subtotal excision of the cervical cystic hygroma. Pharmacological maintenance of the feto-placental circulation after hysterotomy is an invaluable adjunct to airway management of the neonate with prenatally diagnosed tracheal obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA.
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Skarsgard
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Chitkara
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Krane
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Halamek
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Dedo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010920:Placenta; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal