title: The role of the surgeon in the case of a giant neck mass in the EXIT procedure.
abstract: Large fetal neck masses can present a major challenge to securing an airway at birth, with associated risks of hypoxia, brain injury, and death. The authors report a case of a giant neck mass, diagnosed in a fetus of 28 weeks, treated through ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure to assist in securing an airway followed by excision of the mass on the day after delivery. A multidisciplinary team approach, combined with an accurate prenatal diagnosis obtained through fetal ultrasound magnetic resonance imaging examination, was the key to a successful outcome. The role of the pediatric surgeon was initially to secure the airways through a tracheostomy followed by excision of the mass when the infant's vital parameters had been stabilized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, V Buzzi Children's Hospital, I 20154 Milan, Italy. ernleva@tin.it <ernleva@tin.it>
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leva
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pansini
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maestri
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pansini
authors.forename: Georgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Selvaggio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005333:Fetus / Q000601:surgery*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010819:Physician's Role; D013724:Teratoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal