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Objective: To describe a minimally invasive micro-endoscopic technique for fetal skin biopsy and direct examination for a lethal skin condition., Materials and Methods: Direct fetoscopic examination of a fetus was undertaken along with full thickness skin biopsies at 19 weeks' gestation., Results: No phenotypic expressions of the lethal condition were visualized and six full thickness skin biopsies were collected. Pathological examination revealed normal skin structures not consistent with junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB)., Conclusion: Minimally invasive examination with the 1 mm endoscope allows direct fetal phenotypic evaluation, full thickness skin biopsies, with risks similar to amniocentesis., (Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objective: To develop a small animal model for fetoscopy., Methods: In 12 time-dated pregnant rabbits at 22 days' gestational age (term 32 days) one amniotic sac in each uterine horn (n = 24) was used for a fetoscopic procedure. After laparotomy, a 2- to 3-mm microsurgical myometrial incision was made to expose the chorionic and amniotic membrane. Under microscopic control, a 2-mm needle was inserted into the amniotic sac. Through this a 1.2-mm endoscope was passed to carry out fetoscopy during maximally 10 min, using 5-10 ml saline amnioinfusion. Mean outcome measurements were ability to visualize the placenta, umbilical cord and the different fetal elements during fetoscopy, as well as fetal survival and weight at second-look operation at 30 days. The untreated amniotic sacs served as negative controls., Results: In all cases, fetoscopy could be carried out successfully, and all fetuses survived till delivery without significant influence on fetal birth weight., Conclusion: The midgestational rabbit can be used to perform fetoscopy.