Ex utero intrapartum treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether ex utero intrapartum treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (EXIT to ECMO) is a reasonable approach for managing patients antenatally diagnosed with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). METHODS: A 6-year retrospective review was performed on fetuses with severe CDH (liver herniation and a lung/head ratio <1.4, percentage of predicted lung volume <15, and/or congenital heart disease). Fourteen of the patients underwent EXIT with a trial of ventilation. Fetuses with poor preductal oxygen saturations despite mechanical ventilation received ECMO before their delivery. Maternal-fetal outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no maternal-reported complications. Three babies passed the ventilation trial and survived, but 2 of them required ECMO within 48 hours. The remaining 11 fetuses received ECMO before their delivery. Overall survival after EXIT-to-ECMO was 64%. At 1-year follow-up, all survivors had weaned off supplemental oxygen, but 57% required diuretics and/or bronchodilators. CONCLUSION: This is the largest reported experience using EXIT to ECMO in the management of severe CDH. The EXIT-to-ECMO procedure is associated with favorable survival rates and acceptable pulmonary morbidity in fetuses expected to have a poor prognosis under conventional management.

Fetal surgery in otolaryngology: a new era in the diagnosis and management of fetal airway obstruction because of advances in prenatal imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and outcome of prenatal imaging and fetal surgery in the diagnosis and management of fetal airway obstruction caused by cervical teratoma or lymphatic malformation. SETTING: Tertiary care medical center. Patients A retrospective study of all consecutive fetal patients with cervical teratoma or lymphatic malformation between January 2001 and December 2003. RESULTS: The indication was potential airway obstruction due to a fetal neck mass in 8 patients. Prenatal images were obtained by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, and were consistent with teratoma in 4 patients. The mean cervical mass was 8.3 x 7.3 x 6.7 cm, with airway obstruction suspected in all 4 patients. All 4 patients were successfully delivered by ex utero intrapartum treatment, during which 3 newborns required tracheotomy and 1 was successfully intubated. Prenatal images were consistent with lymphatic malformation in the remaining 4 patients. The mean cervical mass was 4.6 x 4.4 x 3.4 cm. There was no indication of airway obstruction based on prenatal images. All 4 patients had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Technological advances in prenatal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging have improved the ability to diagnose congenital abnormalities in utero. This allows for proper assessment of the airway to prevent any unexpected problems at delivery. We believe that many airway emergencies can be avoided by prenatal imaging and initiation of airway management in the prenatal period.

Neutrophil granule products: can they identify subclinical chorioamnionitis in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes?

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether maternal plasma levels of neutrophil granule products are elevated in patients with chorioamnionitis after preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM). STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-two patients between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation with preterm PROM were included. Plasma samples for defensins and lactoferrin were collected throughout latency. Fifty-two control subjects between 26 and 30 weeks' gestation were recruited for baseline levels. RESULTS: Mean control defensin levels were compared with mean defensin levels on admission (668 ng/mL vs 5665 ng/mL, P<.01). Mean defensin levels on admission in patients without chorioamnionitis were compared with those of patients in whom histologic chorioamnionitis developed (520 ng/mL vs 9163 ng/mL, P<.01). The same relationships were not demonstrated for lactoferrin. With use a defensin value of 1500 ng/mL on admission, the sensitivity is 76% and specificity is 94% in predicting histologic chorioamnionitis. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal plasma levels of defensins are markers of histologic chorioamnionitis in patients after preterm PROM.

Cost-effectiveness of induction after preterm premature rupture of the membranes.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to design a decision analytic model to evaluate the optimal length of time for expectant management after preterm premature rupture of the membranes between 32 and 36 weeks' gestation. STUDY DESIGN: Five models were created for 32 to 36 weeks' gestation. Probabilities for outcomes were obtained from medical center databases. Cost data were collected from the Health Care Microsystem database and were based on 1996 dollars. RESULTS: The optimal time of delivery to minimize major morbidity was 34 to 36 weeks' gestation, depending on the time of rupture. When only major morbidity was considered, the most cost-effective approach between 32 to 34 weeks was to deliver 1 week after rupture. At 35 to 36 weeks, the most cost-effective approach was to deliver at presentation. CONCLUSION: The current method of treating all patients with ruptured membranes similarly and delivery at 34 weeks' gestation is not risk minimizing or cost-effective. By delivery 1 week after rupture at 32 to 34 weeks and immediately at 35 to 36 weeks, significant morbidity can be avoided.