Transvaginal fetoscopy in anterior placentas

Area of Science:

• Maternal-fetal medicine
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques

Background:

• Anterior placenta location can impede abdominal access for fetoscopy.
• Alternative routes are needed for specific obstetric interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and safety of transvaginal fetoscopy.
• To assess its utility in cases with anterior placenta precluding abdominal access.

Main Methods:

• Transvaginal fetoscopy via the anterior vaginal fornix was performed in 31 pregnant women.
• Indications included therapeutic abortion and prenatal diagnosis.

Main Results:

• Instrument insertion was uncomplicated in all 31 cases.
• In diagnostic cases, the targeted condition was excluded in three women, allowing continuation of pregnancy.
• One patient delivered a healthy infant at 33 weeks following intermittent amniotic fluid leakage.

Conclusions:

• Transvaginal fetoscopy is a safe and effective alternative when anterior placentas make abdominal fetoscopy unfeasible.
• This approach expands the utility of fetoscopy in managing complex pregnancies.