Simplified correction of a meningomyelocele-like defect in the ovine fetus.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a simplified technique for antenatal correction of a meningomyelocele -like defect in fetal sheep to allow direct skin closure.


METHODS
A spinal defect was surgically created at 75 days of gestation in the fetuses of 36 pregnant sheep, 23 survived the surgery. At 102 days gestation, the defect was corrected in 14 cases (9 were left untreated). Skin surrounding the defect was dissected below the dermis to permit its edges to be approximated and sutured, without interposing any material to its edges. An interface material intended to protect the neural tissue from skin adhesion was used and the skin defect was completely closed over it. Pregnancy was allowed to continue up to 138 days gestation, the fetuses were submitted to macroscopic and microscopic analysis.


RESULTS
The defect was successfully corrected in 90.9% in the experimental group, and spontaneous closure occurred in 22.3% in the control group (p < 0.05). The survival rate after the creation and correction of the defect was 63.4% and 78% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This simplified technique was successful in the correction a meningomyelocele-like defect, in the fetal sheep.
Abou-Jamra
Rogério Chaccur
RC
Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, USP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Valente
Paulo Roberto
PR
Araújo
Andrezza
A
Sanchez e Oliveira
Rita de Cássia
Rde C
Saldiva
Paulo Hilário
PH
Pedreira
Denise Araújo Lapa
DA
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000601:surgery*; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000601:surgery*; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000196:embryology / Q000601:surgery*