ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment including ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure to improve the prenatal survival rate of fetus with neck mass.Methods Multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment model were carried out in four pregnancy women with fetal neck mass from September 2007 to February 2010.The model included prenatal assessment and monitoring,EXIT procedure during cesarean section,neonatal reassessment and surgical treatment by the cooperation of obstetricians,neonatologists,children surgeons,sonographers and anesthetists.Results All patients underwent cesarean section after 37gestational weeks.Mean delivery time was 37+4 weeks (37-38+3 weeks); mean birth weight was 2972 g (2600-3250 g); mean operation time was 4 min (2-7 min).The gestational age of primary diagnosis of fetal neck mass was 24-34 gestational weeks.After delivery,the size of neck mass was from 3.0 cm × 2.0 cm × 1.0 cm to 6.2 cm× 5.8 cm × 6.8 cm.The tracheal compression and displacement were found by color doppler ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance imaging in all cases.Two of them were completed with polyhydramnios and the others with normal volume of amniotic fluid.EXIT procedure was successfully carried out during cesarean section.Neonatal reassessment showed the trachea of three infants were obviously compressed and lapsed by enhanced CT; the infants relied on mechanical ventilation after birth and underwent operation on day 6 to 8.Tracheal impression was not presented in one infant and trachea cannula was removed on the second day,operation was not performed.All of those infants had good outcomes.Conclusions The multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment model,including EXIT procedure,is a safe,efficient and feasible strategy,which is necessary for fetus with neck mass.