[Intrapartum operation on fetuses with birth defects and its outcome]

To discuss the value of intrapartum operation in management of birth defects and the prognosis.

From August 2008 to November 2009, 11 fetuses were identified with birth defects through 3D color Doppler ultrasound and confirmed by MRI and fetal karyotype in the Maternal Fetal Medicine Center, Affiliated Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University including three lymphangiomas, two congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH), one sacrococcygeal teratoma, three omphalocele and two gastroschisi. All the above identified birth defects were indications for surgery. All fetuses were born abdominally and received intrapartum operations, including three intrapartum fetal operations with placental infusion (two repairs of CDH, one sacrococcygeal teratoma resection), six ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT; two repairs of omphalocele, two repairs of gastroschisi, two lymphangioma resection) and two surgeries in house (one omphalocele repair and one lymphangioma resection). Both the mothers and fetuses were regularly followed up.

(1) OPERATIONS: the average operating time for the three intrapartum fetal operations was 89 minutes, 5.5 minutes for the six EXIT, during which EXIT was performed first, followed by blocking the umbilical circulation and neonatal surgery, and 37 minutes for the two surgeries in house. All neonates survived except for one death from severe CDH at 3.5 hours after the operation. The average blood loss for cesarean section and fetal operation was 275 ml. All mothers recovered soon without fever or infection and were discharged three to five days after the operation. (2) Follow-ups: the ten survived neonates were followed up at 1-18 months at the pediatric clinics and all were growing and developing normally except for one baby with gastroschisi suffered from enteral torsion and feeding intolerance showed lower weight than babies at the same age, but caught up to normal at four months old after posture therapy. One baby with mild CDH developed pulmonary infection at two months after operation with 1/4 pneumothorax on chest X-ray, and were hospitalized for two weeks. At six months old, patent ductus arteriosus was diagnosed in the same baby and chest X-ray was normal. The baby with omphalocele was complicated with ventricular septal defect before operation and the cardiac function was normal during follow-ups for one year. The baby with sacrococcygeal teratoma was reported to have no automatic micturition, but recovered to normal at one month of age.

Babies with certain birth defects can be managed through intrapartum operation with better outcomes.