Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2026
Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats
Published on: March 28, 2025
Hindbrain herniation develops in surgically created myelomeningocele but is absent after repair in fetal lambs
B W Paek1, D L Farmer, C C Wilkinson
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, and The Fetal Treatment Center, University of California at San Francisco, 94143-0570, USA.
Objective:
The purpose of our study was to determine whether prenatal repair of myelomeningocele prevents or reverses hindbrain herniation in the sheep model.
Study Design:
A myelomeningocele was surgically created in fetal sheep. One group was repaired later in utero; the others were delivered without repair. After delivery, lambs were assessed for the presence of hindbrain herniation.
Results:
In all lambs that had not undergone repair of the myelomeningocele, severe hindbrain herniation developed, whereas the brains of all lambs that had undergone fetal repair were normal.
Conclusion:
Prenatal repair of myelomeningocele prevents or reverses development of hindbrain herniation in the fetal lamb model.
