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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Transuterine Fetal Tracheal Occlusion Model in Mice
Published on: February 5, 2021
Successful tracheal occlusion using ultrathin fetoscopic equipment combined with real-time three-dimensional
1Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany. tchirikov@uni-mainz.de
Objective:
The most common complication of intrauterine tracheal balloon occlusion is the preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) which increases the rate of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Ultrathin fetoscopy may be a method of reducing the risk of PPROM.
Materials And Methods:
The operation was performed at the 27th week of gestation after sedation and relaxation of a fetus with bilateral congenital diaphragmatic hernia and with the liver lifted upwards into the thorax. An ultrathin sheath with a 1.2-mm fetoscope was used under real-time 3-D ultrasound guidance. The patient delivered in the 38th week of gestation and did not display PPROM after surgery until delivery.
Conclusion:
Fetal tracheal occlusion using ultrathin fetoscopic equipment in combination with real-time 3-D ultrasound may reduce the risk of PPROM.
