External bladder--amniotic fluid shunt for fetal urinary tract obstruction

Ultrasound diagnosis of bilateral hydronephrosis, hydroureters, and megacystis together with oligohydramnios secondary to urethral stenosis was made in a male fetus at 29 weeks' gestation. In utero decompression of the obstructed urinary tract and expansion of the amniotic fluid was achieved by placing an external bladder-amniotic fluid shunt using two catheters, one inserted into the fetal bladder and the other placed in the amniotic sac. The infant was delivered by cesarean section at 35 weeks' gestation and had a favorable outcome.