Fetal endoscopic surgery: lessons learned and trends reviewed.
OBJECTIVE
Fetal surgery is performed increasingly with minimal access approaches. The authors report their experience with fetal endoscopic procedures (fetendo) with emphasis on changing techniques and outcome trends.


METHODS
All fetal endoscopic cases performed at a single institution from January 1996 to August 2001 were reviewed (n = 66). Cases were examined with respect to year performed, type of operation, operative data, and outcome.


RESULTS
Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (26 cases) and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (35 cases) were the most common diseases treated. From 1996 to 2001, there was a decrease in average operating time (256 to 127 minutes [P =.0006]), number of ports utilized (3.8 to one [P =.00001]), pump volume (28.7 to 2.7 L [P =.00001]), and estimated blood loss (408 to 29 mL [P =.008]). In addition, port size changed from 10 mm to 5 mm. Chorioamniotic separation (31 of 66), premature rupture of membranes (32 of 66), chorioamnionitis (12 of 66), and fetal death (10 of 66) continued to be significant complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Fetal endoscopic surgery over the last 6 years has evolved toward shorter operating time, the use of smaller and fewer ports, decreased pump fluid exchange, and decreased blood loss, with the types of cases centered on twin-twin transfusion syndrome and congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
Fowler
Steven F
SF
Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery and Fetal Treatment Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Sydorak
Roman M
RM
Albanese
Craig T
CT
Farmer
Diana L
DL
Harrison
Michael R
MR
Lee
Hanmin
H
D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D004867:Equipment Design; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000601:surgery; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000601:surgery; D065630:Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012495:San Francisco