Fetoscopic insufflation modeled in the extrauterine environment for neonatal development (EXTEND): Fetoscopic insufflation is safe for the fetus

Background Minimally invasive fetal surgery, or fetoscopy, is an alternative to open fetal surgery to repair common birth defects like myelomeningocele. Although this hysterotomy-sparing approach reduces maternal morbidity, the effects of in utero insufflation on the fetus are poorly understood. Our purpose was to determine the optimal fetal insufflation conditions. Methods Fetal sheep at gestational age 104 to 107 days were studied under insufflation conditions in utero and ex utero. The ex utero fetuses were cannulated via their umbilical vessels into a support device, the EXTra-uterine Environment for Neonatal Development (EXTEND). EXTEND fetuses were exposed to four different insufflation conditions for four hours: untreated carbon dioxide (CO2) (n = 5), warm humidified (whCO2) (n = 4), whCO2 with the umbilical cord exposed (n = 3), and whCO2 without amniotic fluid (skin and cord exposed) (n = 3). Results In utero insufflation led to significant increases in fetal CO2 and reductions in fetal pH. Ex utero insufflation with whCO2 did not lead to changes in fetal blood gas measurements or cerebral perfusion parameters. Insufflation with whCO2 with an exposed umbilical cord led to reduced umbilical blood flow. Conclusions Insufflation with warm humidified CO2 with an amniotic fluid covered umbilical cord is well tolerated by the fetus without significant changes in hemodynamics or cerebral perfusion parameters. Type of study Basic science Level of evidence N/A