EXIT procedure: a case report

The EXIT (Ex-Utero Intrapartum Treatment) procedure is an extremely valuable tool in providing time to secure the airway in infants with large fetal neck masses and abnormalities of the upper airway which impede resuscitation. The fetus is partially delivered while maintaining utero-placental-fetal circulation. We report the use of this technique in a case of huge cystic hygromas of the neck and chest due to a nuchal bleb-lethal dysplasia. Although severe pulmonary hypoplasia precluded an optimal outcome, this report shows that this procedure is technically feasible. We believe this to be the first case performed and reported in Louisiana.