[Fetal microsurgery. The past and present of a frontier of surgery]

The concept that the fetus may be a patient is very recent. Modern ultrasonography can detect fetal abnormalities early in utero, and lead to prenatal correction of such malformations. At present three anatomic defects can benefit from fetal surgery: diaphragmatic hernia, urethral obstructions and obstructive hydrocephalus. The feasibility of fetal surgery has been proved both experimentally and clinically. Microsurgery can be of great help in this type of surgery. At this stage, fetal surgery should be pursued only in very qualified centers.