ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Fetal lower urinary tract obstruction occurs in approximately 1:3000 pregnancies. Standard vesicoamniotic shunting is fraught with malfunctioning in upto 60% of cases. We hereby report the development and application of a novel and reliable shunt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with lower urinary tract obstruction were offered the novel shunt among other standard management options. Shunting involved the placement of a double disk device with a standard double pig-tail catheter. All patients signed informed consent. RESULTS: Four patients have been treated with the novel shunt. In three patients, shunting was conducted between the bladder and amniotic cavity. In one patient (dichorionic-discordant twins) with a prior dislodged shunt causing urinary ascites, shunting was conducted between the peritoneal and amniotic cavities ('bridge shunt'). In all cases, correct and stable shunt placement was confirmed endoscopically and sonographically and in all patients, the fetal bladder remains effectively drained. CONCLUSION: Reliable and effective vesico or peritoneoamniotic shunting can be achieved with the novel shunt. This shunt cannot become dislodged into the peritoneal cavity or the amniotic cavity, and cannot be pulled out by the fetus. Further experience is necessary to determine the risks and benefits of this novel treatment for fetal lower urinary tract obstruction.
Subject(s)
Fetal Diseases/surgery , Urethral Obstruction/surgery , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Fetal Therapies , Humans , Male , Pregnancy , Young AdultABSTRACT
La unidad de perinatología del Hospital Universitario de Caracas, fue fundada en 1975 por los doctores Freddy Guevara y Miguel Yáber; su objetivo ha sido mejorar la salud materno-fetal para la solución de los principales problemas perinatales.Dentro de sus objetivos específicos, está la formación de subespecialistas en perinatología; la residencia inicia en enero de 1989, bajo la dirección del doctor Guevara.Actualmente cuenta con una moderna planta física en el Hospital Universitario de Caracas, con tecnología de punta, convenios interinstitucionales y un equipo de profesionales altamente capacitados, continuando con la formación de perinatólogos en Venezuela y Latinoamérica, ingresando para la subespecialización cinco ginecoobstetras por año, durante un período de dos años.El perinatólogo de la unidad está capacitado para prestar servicios de salud en aspectos preventivos, médicos, quirúrgicos y de rehabilitación en sus áreas de especialización; participar en trabajos de investigación en humanos, animales y docencia universitaria
