title: Fetoscopic coverage of experimental myelomeningocele in sheep using a patch with surgical sealant.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assess the feasibility of a fetoscopic patch coverage method for myelomeningocele repair in a sheep model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study. A myelomeningocele-like defect was created in 15 fetal sheep on day 75 of gestation. Six remained untreated, whereas 9 underwent fetoscopic coverage of the defect on day 95 of gestation using an inert patch secured with surgical sealant. Clinical and histological examinations were performed after delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four valid newborn lambs were obtained in each group. Mean fetoscopic surgical time was 26.9 (SD=7.4)min. All untreated animals had an open lumbar defect with cerebrospinal fluid leakage, paraplegia, urinary incontinence, and Chiari malformation. All treated animals had a closed defect and were able to walk; one had weak bladder control, and another mild Chiari malformation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a chronic myelomeningocele model in fetal sheep, fetoscopic repair using a sealed patch results in simple, fast, satisfactory neural tube closure and averts neurological damage and Chiari malformation.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. cgarcia@ir.vhebron.net
authors.forename: Cesar G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Fontecha
authors.forename: Jose L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Peiro
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sevilla
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aguirre
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Soldado
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fresno
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: Asiul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chacaltana
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martinez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005332:Fetoscopy; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000601:surgery*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012756:Sheep; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: C513322:CoSeal; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C013830:baysilon