Prevalencia de patologías fetales que pueden beneficiarse de intervenciones intrauterinas en un hospital de tercer nivel del Occidente de México / Prevalence of fetal pathologies that can benefit from intrauterine interventions in a third level hospital in western Mexico

Resumen OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de afecciones susceptibles de ser tratadas mediante un procedimiento intrauterino en una unidad de Medicina Materno Fetal de un hospital de tercer nivel del Occidente de México, en un periodo de nueve años. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal y descriptivo, con revisión de los reportes de ultrasonidos obstétricos practicados en la Unidad de Medicina Materno Fetal del Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Dr. Juan I. Menchaca del 2013 al 2021, con selección de los casos de pacientes con diagnóstico de alguna afectación susceptible de ser intervenida de manera intrauterina. RESULTADOS: Durante el periodo de estudio se practicaron y registraron 103,721 ultrasonidos obstétricos, de éstos se integraron al estudio aquí publicado 257 pacientes con diagnóstico de alguna afectación susceptible de ser intervenida in útero. La prevalencia de afectaciones con posibilidad de ser intervenidas por vía intrauterina fue del 0.47% de la totalidad de pacientes valoradas. La media de edad de las pacientes fue de 24.6 años; 162 (63%) multigestas y 95 (37%) primigestas. Embarazos únicos 193 (75%) y 64 (25%) múltiples. Las semanas promedio de gestación al diagnóstico de la afectación fueron 25.6. CONCLUSIONES: En este ensayo se estimó una prevalencia de 0.47 padecimientos que pueden ser intervenidos in útero, dejando de lado muchas otros en los que los estudios no han demostrado beneficio de una cirugía fetal, ni los beneficios superan los riesgos, si se practica la cirugía de manera prenatal o posnatal.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of conditions amenable to treatment by an intrauterine procedure in a Maternal-Fetal Medicine unit of a tertiary hospital in western Mexico over a nine-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional and descriptive study, with review of obstetric ultrasound reports performed in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit of the Civil Hospital of Guadalajara Dr. Juan I. Menchaca from 2013 to 2021, with selection of cases of patients diagnosed with any condition susceptible to intrauterine intervention. RESULTS: During the study period 103,721 obstetric ultrasounds were performed and recorded, of which 257 patients were included in the study published here with a diagnosis of a condition that could be treated in utero. The prevalence of conditions that could be treated in utero was 0.47% of all patients assessed. The mean age of the patients was 24.6 years; 162 (63%) were multigestational and 95 (37%) primigravid. Singleton pregnancies 193 (75%) and 64 (25%) multiple pregnancies. Mean weeks of gestation at diagnosis of involvement was 25.6. CONCLUSIONS: This trial estimated a prevalence of 0.47% of conditions that can be intervened in utero, leaving aside many others where studies have not demonstrated benefit of fetal surgery, nor do the benefits outweigh the risks, whether surgery is performed prenatally or postnatally.

Cardiopatías congénitas, diagnóstico y manejo prenatal / Congenital heart disease, prenatal diagnosis and management

Dentro de las malformaciones congénitas, las cardiopatías son las anomalías más frecuentes y se asocian a una elevada morbimortalidad perinatal y a largo plazo. El objetivo de esta actualización es revisar la tasa de detección prenatal, las características del tamizaje a lo largo del embarazo, tanto en el primero como en el segundo trimestre, las indicaciones de ecocardiografía avanzada, y establecer un algoritmo de manejo ante el diagnóstico prenatal de una cardiopatía congénita. Se discutirán los estudios invasivos y no invasivos que pueden realizarse y el seguimiento obstétrico. Finalmente, se revisarán las características principales de la terapia fetal en anomalías cardíacas, tanto intervencionismo cardíaco como el tratamiento intrauterino de las arritmias.

Among congenital malformations, heart defects are the most common type of anomaly, and these are associated with a high perinatal, long-term morbidity and mortality. The objective of this update was to review the rate of prenatal detection, screening characteristics throughout the pregnancy, in both the first and second trimesters, indications for advanced echocardiography, and to establish a management algorithm in case of prenatal diagnosis of a congenital heart disease. Potential invasive and non-invasive tests and obstetric follow-up will be discussed here. Finally, the main characteristics of fetal therapy in heart anomalies will be reviewed, both cardiac interventions and intrauterine treatment of arrhythmias.

Fetal therapies as standard prenatal care in Japan

With recent advances in fetal medicine, various attempts have been made to save fetuses facing perinatal death or devastating consequences despite optimal management after birth. The concept of the fetus as a patient has been established through the application of in utero treatments. This paper reviews fetal therapies in order to highlight the role of perinatal medicine as standard prenatal care. Fetal therapies consist of medical therapy, percutaneous ultrasound-guided surgery, fetoscopic surgery, and open fetal surgery. In the 1980s, with advances in ultrasound imaging, percutaneous ultrasound-guided surgeries such as vesicoamniotic shunting for lower urinary tract obstruction and thoracoamniotic shunting (TAS) for fetal hydrothorax (FHT) were started. In the 1990s, fetoscopic laser surgery (FLS) for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) was introduced, and later, a fetoscopic approach for congenital diaphragmatic hernia was also established. The revival of open fetal surgery, introduced in the 1980s by pediatric surgeons, began in the 2010s after a successful clinical study for myelomeningocele. Although many fetal therapies are still considered experimental, some have proven effective, such as FLS for TTTS, TAS for primary FHT, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence. These three fetal therapies have been approved for coverage by Japan National Health Insurance as a result of clinical studies performed in Japan. FLS for TTTS, TAS for primary FHT, and RFA for TRAP sequence have become standard prenatal care approaches in Japan. These three minimally invasive fetal therapies will help improve the perinatal outcomes of fetuses with these disorders.

Sirolimus therapy for fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma in a pregnant woman with tuberous sclerosis

Rhabdomyoma is the most common fetal cardiac tumor, and its development is related to tuberous sclerosis. Fetal cardiac rhabdomyomas often spontaneously regress in utero or after birth, but large tumors can cause hemodynamic obstruction. Sirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, has been used as an immunosuppressant after organ transplantation. The mTOR inhibitors are well-known to have anti-tumor activity, and they have been used for the treatment of patients with tuberous sclerosis. In the current case, fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma was completely resolved in utero during oral sirolimus treatment in the mother with tuberous sclerosis. This case shows that oral sirolimus therapy in pregnancy may be a treatment for multiple or large fetal cardiac rhabdomyomas.

Polidocanol versus alcohol absoluto como sustancias esclerosantes en modelo experimental animal / Polidocanol versus absolute alcohol as sclerosing substances in experimental animal model

Introducción: La esclerosis se caracteriza por la destrucción celular epitelial con apoptosis, inflamación estéril, fibrosis irreversible y disminución de la masa tisular por retracción con subsecuente obliteración de la luz de los quistes y/o vasos sanguíneos. Existen diferentes sustancias esclerosantes que pueden ser utilizados. Aun así, actualmente no se han definido pautas claras en el manejo con sustancias esclerosantes. Esto puede considerarse como un tratamiento poco invasivo y efectivo. Objetivo: Determinar la eficacia y seguridad del polidocanol versus alcohol absoluto como sustancias esclerosantes en modelo experimental animal. Materiales y Métodos: El estudio se realizó con 34 ratas, distribuidas en forma aleatoria en 3 grupos. Grupo A con 16 ratas a las cuales se les introdujo 1 ml de polidocanol intravesical. Grupo B con 16 ratas a las que se les introdujo 1 ml de alcohol absoluto intravesical. Grupo C (control) con 2 ratas sin intervención. Las 2 ratas del grupo control fueron sacrificadas con sobredosis de halotano. Igualmente las ratas de cada grupo experimental, que fueron sacrificadas en pares, escogidos al azar, a las 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 y 120 horas post aplicación respectivamente. Luego se realizó el estudio anatomopatológico. Se verificó la profundidad y extensión de la esclerosis y se adjudicó puntaje según escala numérica previamente diseñada. Se determinó y comparó la eficacia y seguridad de ambas sustancias dependiendo de la extensión y profundidad de la esclerosis según el tiempo de acción con regresión logística y test exacto de Fisher. Resultados: Ambas sustancias mostraron similar efectividad al producir esclerosis con retracción de la pared vesical en 100% de los casos después de 24 horas de aplicación. El polidocanol mostró acción biológica progresiva encontrándose correlación entre el tiempo de acción y la profundidad de la esclerosis mediante el análisis de regresión logística con coeficiente de correlación de 0.75 e índice de probabilidad: 0.00183 (p < 0.05). El alcohol absoluto produjo esclerosis profunda inmediata, sin correlación con el tiempo de acción, con coeficiente de correlación de - 0.0465 con un índice de probabilidad de 0.864 (p > 0.05). Se estimó la seguridad de las sustancias según el hallazgo de esclerosis transmural y lesión de órganos vecinos. En ningún caso con polidocanol (0%) hubo paso transmural ni lesión de órganos vecinos mientras que en 83,33% de los casos del alcohol absoluto se presentó esclerosis transmural con lesión de órganos adyacentes en 50% de los casos (Test de Fisher's p < 0.0001 extremadamente significativo). Ninguna de las 2 sustancias produjo lesiones de órganos a distancia. Conclusiones: Tanto el alcohol como el polidocanol son efectivos para generar esclerosis. La esclerosis con polidocanol impresiona ser segura por quedar limitada a la vejiga. La escleroterapia con alcohol no parece ser segura porque genera esclerosis transmural y lesión de órganos contiguos. La diseminación de las sustancias a través de vasos sanguíneos o linfáticos con lesiones de órganos distantes no ocurrió en ningún caso y parece improbable ya que los esclerosantes producen la oclusión de estos vasos.

Introduction: Sclerosis is characterized by epithelial cell destruction with apoptosis, sterile inflammation, irreversible fibrosis and decreased tissue mass by retraction with subsequent obliteration of the lumen of the cysts and / or blood vessels. There are different sclerosing substances that can be used. Even so, clear guidelines have not yet been defined in the management of sclerosing substances. This can be considered as a minimally invasive and effective treatment. Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of polidocanol versus absolute alcohol as sclerosing substances in an experimental model. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 34 rats, randomly distributed in 3 groups. Group A with 16 rats to which 1 ml of intravesical polidocanol was introduced. Group B with 16 rats to which 1 ml of intravesical absolute alcohol was introduced. Group C (control) with 2 rats without intervention. The 2 rats of the control group were sacrificed with halothane overdose. Also the rats of each experimental group, which were sacrificed in pairs, chosen at random, at 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours after application respectively. Then the anatomopathological study was carried out. The depth and extension of the sclerosis was verified and a score was awarded according to a previously designed numerical scale. The efficacy and safety of both substances were determined and compared depending on the extension and depth of the sclerosis according to the time of action with logistic regression and Fisher's exact test. Results: Both substances showed similar effectiveness in producing sclerosis with retraction of the bladder wall in 100% of the cases after 24 hours of application. The polidocanol showed progressive biological action, finding a correlation between the time of action and the depth of the sclerosis by means of the logistic regression analysis with a correlation coefficient of 0.75 and a probability index of 0.00183 (p <0.05). Absolute alcohol produced immediate deep sclerosis, without correlation with the time of action, with a correlation coefficient of - 0.0465 with a probability index of 0.864 (p> 0.05). The safety of the substances was estimated according to the finding of transmural sclerosis and injury to close organs. In no case with polidocanol (0%) there was transmural passage or injury of close organs, while in 83.33% of cases of absolute alcohol, transmural sclerosis with lesion of adjacent organs occurred in 50% of the cases (Fisher's Test p <0.0001 extremely significant). None of the 2 substances produced remote organ injuries. Conclusions: Both alcohol and polidocanol are effective in generating sclerosis. Sclerosis with polidocanol is safe because it is limited to the bladder. Sclerotherapy with alcohol does not appear to be safe because it generates transmural sclerosis and injury to contiguous organs. The dissemination of the substances through blood or lymphatic vessels with lesions of distant organs did not occur in any case and seems unlikely since the sclerosants produce the occlusion of these vessels

Ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure in two fetuses with airway obstruction

The ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure was introduced to reduce fetal hypoxic damage while establishing an airway in fetuses with upper and lower airway obstruction. Delivery of the fetal head and shoulders while maintaining the uteroplacental circulation offers time to secure the fetal airway. Here, we report two cases of EXIT procedure for fetal airway obstruction, which were successfully managed with extensive preoperative planning by a professional multidisciplinary team.

Use of Stem Cell in Fetal Therapy: Current Status and Future Perspectives

During the past decades, there has been a great evolution in the field of fetal therapy for congenital defects. Prenatal screening or diagnostic methods including non-invasive and invasive methods and fetal ultrasound have led to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of congenital anomalies. Recent advances in several therapeutic techniques including ultrasound-guided needle therapy, laser therapy or fetal endoscopy, have allowed some fetuses at risk with anatomical defects, to be corrected in utero but still, its clinical indications remain limited. Over the last 30 years, many researchers found usefulness of pluripotent stem cells from amniotic fluid and placenta because they are sources of diverse progenitor cell populations called mesenchymal stem cells. In some human conditions like severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome and chronic granulomatous disease, fetal therapy using stem cell replacement showed some promising results in researches but more studies are required to apply in clinical settings. The aim of this article is to summarize a current status and future perspective of stem cell therapy for treatment of congenital fetal anomalies.

Secuencia de perfusion arterial reversa (TRAP) / Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion, TRAP

Resumen:Considerada como una complicación exclusiva de gestaciones múltiples monocoriales, la secuencia de perfusión arterial reversa se caracteriza por la presencia de un feto malformado que tiene un corazón rudimentario o ausente, con una perfusión desde el gemelo estructuralmente normal hacia el feto acárdico y una mortalidad del 100% en el feto acárdico y el 50% en el feto sano. Se reporta un caso clínico de una paciente de 15 años con embarazo gemelar monocorial de 27 semanas, referida al Hospital San Juan de Dios, en donde se le dio seguimiento diario con ultrasonido y se documentó el patrón ultrasonógrafico anormal de sumación-colisión. A los 7 días de ingreso se decide la interrupción del embarazo por sospecha de coriamnioitis, naciendo un producto viable y otro polimalformado.

Abstract:Considered an exclusive complication of monochorionic gestations, the TRAP sequence is characterize by the presence of a malformed fetus with a rudimentary or absent heart, in which there is an perfusion from the structurally normal twin to the acardiac fetus and a 100% mortality in the acardiac fetus and 50% in the healthy one. We present a clinical case of a 15 years old patient with monochorionic twin pregnancy of 27 weeks, referred to Hospital San Juan de Dios, where daily monitoring with ultrasound was done and an abnormal collision-summantion pattern was documented and reported. After 7 days of admission chorioamnionitis was suspected and termination of the pregnancy was decided resulting in a viable product and another with multiple malformations.

Terapéutica fetal no invasiva / Non-invasive fetal therapy

La terapia farmacológica fetal puede definirse como cualquier tratamiento prenatal administrado a la madre con la indicación primaria para mejorar los resultados perinatales o a largo plazo para el feto o el recién nacido. Esta revisión proporciona una actualización de los tratamientos farmacológicos dirigidos exclusivamente al feto con anomalías. Las anomalías fetales con posibilidad de farmacoterapia prenatal constituyen un grupo heterogéneo de condiciones estructurales, tales como las anomalías del cerebro y de la columna, prevención de la enfermedad hialina del pulmón, anomalías endocrinas y metabólicas, incluyendo la malformación adenomatoidea quística congénita (CCAM), hiperplasia suprarrenal congénita, bloqueo congénito de corazón, taquiarritmias fetales, errores innatos del metabolismo, trastornos de la tiroides fetal y polihidramnios. Hasta la fecha, la mayor parte de la farmacoterapia para anomalías fetales ha sido evaluada en estudios retrospectivos, no controlados. El camino a seguir será con un enfoque basado en la evidencia para intervenciones farmacológicas prenatales.

Fetal pharmacologic therapy can be defined as any prenatal treatment administered to the mother with the primary indication of improving perinatal or long-term outcomes for the fetus and the newborn. This review provides an update on the pharmacological therapies for the fetus with anomalies. Fetal anomalies targeted with prenatal pharmacotherapy are a heterogeneous group of structural, endocrine, and metabolic conditions, including brain and spine anomaly, hyaline membrane disease prevention, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital heart block, fetal tachyarrhythmia, inborn errors of metabolism, fetal thyroid disorders, and polyhydramnios. To date, most of the pharmacotherapy for fetal anomalies has been evaluated only in retrospective, uncontrolled studies. Future evaluation will be determined on evidence-based approach to prenatal pharmacological interventions.

Restricción selectiva del crecimiento intrauterino en la gestación gemelar monocorial: diagnóstico y manejo / Selective intrauterine growth restriction in monochorionic-diamniotic twins: diagnosis and management

La Restricción Selectiva del Crecimiento Intrauterino se produce en 10 a 19% de los gemelos monocoriónicos, y se asocia con un aumento importante de la mortalidad y la morbilidad perinatal. La evolución clínica está dada en gran parte por la presencia de anastomosis vaculares y la distribución placentaria asimétrica. Se propuso una clasificación en tres tipos según el Doppler de la arteria umbilical del gemelo más pequeño, la que sé que se correlaciona con distintos comportamientos clínicos y características de la placenta, lo que ayuda en el asesoramiento y conducta obstétrica. Los del tipo I tienen un pronóstico favorable por el resultado perinatal satisfactorio por lo que se recomienda un seguimiento cercano por ecografía y Doppler. Los de tipo II tienen un mal pronóstico y el tipo III un pronóstico intermedio e impredecible. En estos dos últimos se puede realizar un manejo expectante hasta que se observe deterioro del feto pequeño, considerando la posibilidad de la coagulación con láser o la oclusión del cordón (feticidio selectivo). Ambas conductas aparentemente aumentan las posibilidades de supervivencia del feto de peso normal.

Selective intrauterine growth restriction occurs in 10-19% of monochorionic twins, and is associated with increased mortality important and perinatal morbidity. The clinical course is given largely by the presence of placental vascular anastomosis and asymmetric distribution. It classified into three types according to the proposed Doppler umbilical artery smaller twin, the one that correlates with different clinical behaviors and characteristics of the placenta, which helps in counseling and obstetric conduct. The type I have a favorable prognosis for satisfactory perinatal outcome so closely monitored by ultrasound and Doppler is recommended. The type II has a poor prognosis and type III intermediate and unpredictable prognosis. In these last two you can make an expectant management until deterioration of the small fetus is observed, considering laser coagulation or cord occlusion (selective feticide). Both behaviors appear to increase the chances of survival of the fetus of normal weight.

Intrauterine management of fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with cardiac failure

Fetal arrhythmias are not uncommon in pregnancy. The diagnosis can be established on routine ultrasound scan. Fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common cause of fetal tachycardia. If left undiagnosed and untreated, these fetuses may develop cardiac failure, hydrops fetalis and eventually death. We report two fetuses diagnosed antenatally to have fetal SVT. Both fetuses were in cardiac failure and were successfully treated with maternal administration of antiarrhythmic medications. Digoxin, and in severe instances, a combination with flecanaide significantly improved fetal outcomes and prevented fetal mortality. The long term prognosis of such patients are good.

The Present of Fetal Therapy and Future Prospect / 대한주산의학회잡지

Advances in prenatal diagnosis have led to the prenatal management of a variety of congenital diseases. Fetal surgery was born of clinical necessity. Observations by pediatric surgeons and neonatologists of neonates that were born with irreversible organ damage led to the conclusion that one possible approach to prevent this alteration of developmental physiology, was fetal surgical intervention. The demonstration in animal models that the correction of an anatomical defect could reverse the associated pathophysiology led to the first systematic application of fetal surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, in the early 1980s . There has been a dramatic improvement in our ability to diagnose, select and safely operate on an expanding number of fetal anomalies. Many fetal interventions remain investigational but for a number of conditions randomized trials have established the role of in utero surgery, making fetal surgery a clinical reality in a number of fetal therapy programs. Although prenatal stem cell and gene therapy await clinical application, they offer tremendous potential for the treatment of many genetic disorders. Here we review the prenatal evaluation, current status and future potential of various prenatal operative approaches, such as open hysterotomy, fetoscopy, and percutaneous, including tissue engineering, and prenatal cellular and genetic therapy.

Selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation of superficial placental anastomoses for the treatment of severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To report our initial institutional experience with fetoscopic laser photocoagulation of placental anastomoses in severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome using a 1.0 mm endoscope. METHODS: Between July 2006 and June 2008, 19 monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies complicated by severe TTTS (Quintero stages III and IV) underwent fetoscopic laser therapy. Perinatal data were prospectively collected and compared according to the Quintero stages. RESULTS: Nine patients were classified as stage III and ten as stage IV. The Mean gestational ages at diagnosis and procedure were 20 (range: 17-25) and 22.0 (range: 19.0-26.0) weeks, respectively, with no statistical difference between the two groups. Preterm premature rupture of the membranes occurred in two cases (10.5 percent), and spontaneous preterm delivery in eight (42.1 percent). Overall mean gestational age at delivery was 32.1 (range: 26.0-38.0) weeks. Prematurity was more severe in stage IV patients (p<0.01). Among all cases, the overall survival rate was 52.6 percent, and the percentages of pregnancies with survival of both babies and at least one twin were 26.3 percent and 78.9 percent, respectively. In the case of stage III patients, the overall survival rate was 61.1 percent. Of the stage III pregnancies, 33.3 percent resulted in both babies surviving, and 88.9 percent of these pregnancies resulted in at least one surviving twin. For stage IV, as the corresponding statistics were 45.0 percent, 20.0 percent and 70.0 percent respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial institutional experience with 1.0 mm fetoscopic laser therapy for severe TTTS showed results similar to those reported in the literature for larger endoscopes.

To shunt or not to shunt a pulmonary adenomatoid cystic malformation after 33 weeks of gestation: a case report / Derivar ou não uma malformação adenomatóide cística do pulmão após 33 semanas de gestação: relato de caso

CONTEXT: Macrocystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung can cause severe mediastinal shift, hydrops and polyhydramnios, thereby increasing the risk of perinatal deaths. After 33 weeks of gestation, repeated puncturing of the cyst is recommended. We present a case in which a cyst-amniotic shunt was placed instead of performing this procedure. CASE REPORT: A cyst-amniotic shunt was placed at 33 weeks of gestation because of a large macrocystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung associated with severe mediastinal shift and polyhydramnios. Although it was confirmed that the catheter was in the correct place, the cyst increased in size again two weeks later, associated with repetition of polyhydramnios. It was postulated that the catheter was blocked, and we chose to place another catheter instead of performing repeated punctures. The cystic volume, polyhydramnios and mediastinal shift regressed progressively. At 38.5 weeks, a 3,310/g male infant was delivered without presenting any respiratory distress. The infant underwent thoracotomy on the 15th day of life. Thus, in the present study, we discuss the possibility of placing a cyst-amniotic shunt instead of performing repeated cystic punctures, even at a gestational age close to full term.

CONTEXTO: A malformação adenomatóide do pulmão tipo macrocística pode causar compressão mediastinal grave, hidropisia e polihidrâmnio aumentando a chance de óbito perinatal. Após a 33ª semana de gestação, recomenda-se realizar punções repetidas do cisto. Apresentamos um caso em que um dreno cístico-amniótico foi colocado e as punções foram evitadas. RELATO DE CASO: Um dreno cístico-amniótico foi colocado na 33ª semana de gestação devido a grande malfomação adenomatóide cística do pulmão associada a desvio de mediastino grave e polihidrâmnio. Apesar de o cateter ter sido identificado no local correto, o cisto voltou a crescer duas semanas após, repetindo o polihidrâmnio. Postulou-se que o cateter estava obstruído e optamos por colocar um novo cateter ao invés de realizar punções repetidas desse cisto. Foi observada regressão progressiva do volume do cisto, do polihidrâmnio e do desvio de mediastino. Na 38ª semana e meia, um menino de 3.310 g nasceu sem apresentar dificuldade respiratória, sendo submetido a toracotomia no 15º dia de vida. Portanto, no presente estudo, discute-se sobre a possibilidade de colocação do dreno cístico-amniótico no lugar de realizar punções repetidas do cisto mesmo em idades gestacionais próximas do termo.

Fetal Therapy / 대한산부인과학회지

Since fetal therapy is a newly developed field as a pioneer during the last few decades, initial activity before the year 2002 was based on successful case reports and case series. However, multicenter randomized controlled trial with the comparison to the previous standard treat should be needed for the establishment of new therapy. This philosophy of evidence-based clinical practice is now accepted after 2002. New randomized trials are being published in the literature. (eq. fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion for congenital diaphrag-matic hernia and laser treatment of the twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome) Another trends of fetal therapy are efficacy after the evaluation of long-term outcomes and minimal invasive access methods in both diagnosis and surgery. The option of middle cerebral artery doppler examination for the diagnosis of fetal anemia is newly available besides invasive repeated-cordocentesis. Measurement of cell-free fetal DNA levels in the maternal circulation rather than invasive chorionic villi sampling is gradually phasing into clinical use for non-invasive method to diagnose fetal single gene disorders. In Utero Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation offers a potential way to treat fetuses with immunodeficiency diseases among the congenital hematologic disorders. Successful Stem Cell Transplantation for other congenital hematologic disorders and specific gene therapy will hopefully come true in the near future after further developmental expansion of ethical, technical fields.

A Case of Fetal Supraventricular Tachycardia with Fetal Ascites Treated by Antiarrhythmic Agent / 대한산부인과학회잡지

We experienced a case of fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with fetal ascites diagnosed at 29 weeks of gestation in 29 year-old primigravida woman. Transplacental fetal therapy with maternal oral antiarrhythmic agent (verapamil, diltiazem) resulted in restoration of normal fetal sinus rhythm and disappearance of fetal ascites. At birth, the infant did not show any cardiac arrhythmia and hydropic appearance.

Three cases of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome which were managed with maternal digitalization / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is one of the complications showing high mortality rate in monochorionic twins with vascular communication in the placenta. Clinical manifestations of TTTS are usually characterized by polyhydramnios, circulatory overload, cardiac failure and fetal hydrops in the recipient twin and symmetrical fetal growth restriction, oligohydramnios, hypovolemia and anemia in the donor twin. TTTS occurres in 10-35% of monochorionic twins. We report three cases of TTTS with fetal hydrops in which amnioreduction was serially attempted and maternal digoxin treatment was tried for the therapeutic purpose.

Cordocentesis for prenatal diagnosis and therapy: experience of 461 cases / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: We report our experience with cordocentesis for prenatal diagnosis and therapy. The clinical effect and safety of cordocentesis were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1997 to December 2001, cordocentesis was performed on 461 fetuses at Asan Medical Center. The clinical characteristics of the patients and the results of each procedure were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at the time of cordocentesis was 25.0 weeks. The most common indication was rapid karyotyping (93.3%) and was followed by the risk of fetal infection (3.5%). Of 461 cordocentesis, 452 (98.0%) were done successfully at the first attempt. The procedure-related complications included transient bleeding at puncture site (0.7%), and transient fetal bradycardia (0.2%). There was no procedure-related fetal loss. The other obstetric complications were comparable with those in the general population. CONCLUSION: We conclude that cordocentesis is a useful, safe and effective procedure for fetal diagnosis and therapy.

A Case of Fetal Erythroblastosis Treated by Repeated Intraumbilical Venous Transfusions / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Fetal erythroblastosis caused by maternal Rhesus alloimmunization brings a significant clinical problem, eventually leading to fetal hydrops and intrauterine fetal death. Repeated blood transfusions into the umbilical vein are the treatment of choice for fetal erythroblastosis with severe hydrops. The purpose of this report is to introduce our experience with a case of fetal erythroblastosis, recovered after intraumbilical venous transfusions. The fetus has been received the intraumbilical venous transfusions for four times from 29 weeks of gestation. Fetal hydrops and cardiomegaly, as well as polyhydramnios were improved markedly after transfusions. A healthy baby was delivered at 34 weeks of gestation. Intraumbilical venous transfusion may be a safe and effective treatment on the case with severe aggressive anemic and hydropic isoimmune fetus.