Fetal Surgery

Fetal surgery can treat various problems while a baby is still growing inside the mother. Open surgery or closed-uterus surgery may be performed.
Most surgeries, whether open or closed-uterus, are not performed until at least the 28th week of pregnancy. Surgeries treat a variety of problems, including urinary-tract blockages, tumors and fluid in the lungs.

Open Surgery. With open surgery, the surgeon makes a Cesareanlike incision in the mother's abdomen, partially removes the fetus, performs surgery, then returns the fetus to the uterus. The first surgery of this kind was done in 1981. Open surgery carries risks for mother and baby. One problem with open surgery is that it may stimulate uterine contractions, which can lead to premature birth. The surgery exposes the mother to all the risks of surgery, including anesthesia problems and infections. After open surgery, the mother must have a Cesarean delivery when it is time to deliver the baby.

Closed-Uterus Surgery. Closed-uterus procedures are more common than open surgeries. With this surgery, miniature cameras guide a needle-thin fiberoptic instrument into the fetus's body while the fetus remains inside the uterus. The most successful closed-uterus surgeries are associated with the opening of urinary-tract blockages.