Peri-operative management of percutaneous fetoscopic spina-bifida repair: a descriptive review of five cases from the United Kingdom, with focus on anaesthetic implications

Spina bifida results from abnormal development and incomplete closure of the neural tube and affects 33 –48 per 100 000 live births globally.1 Current practice is surgical repair within 1–2 days of birth. Recently, several animal and human reports have suggested that prenatal repair could offer better postnatal neurological function.2,3 In 2011, the Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) compared open (hysterotomy) prenatal repair with the standard postnatal technique. They found reduced rates of neurosurgical intervention for hydrocephalus in a significant proportion of those treated prenatally and an improved composite score for mental development and motor function at 30 months .
Source: International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Review article Source Type: research