Exploring the Field of Fetal Surgery

Fetal surgery, an innovative and emerging procedure, enables surgeons to diagnose and treat birth defects in fetuses promptly. This fascinating surgery can treat several conditions, even before the baby is born! Some conditions include but are not limited to fetal anemia, spina bifida, and amniotic band syndrome. Every year, approximately 3% of all babies born in the United States are affected by a birth defect, highlighting the importance of this surgery. The primary advantage of fetal surgery is that it can provide much more effective results compared to if the surgery were performed after birth, making it a compelling choice for many. Depending on the specific condition being treated, fetal surgery can be performed anywhere from 16 to 26 weeks of fetal development. 

Multiple techniques are employed during fetal surgery, all of which depend on the specific defect or condition being treated. One instance includes fetoscopic surgery. This minimally invasive technique involves the use of specialized equipment (such as fiber-optic telescopes) to create small incisions into the uterus. This approach allows surgeons to avoid extensive incisions in the body. Another common technique used in fetal surgery is open surgery, characterized by the creation of two incisions: one in the abdomen and another within the uterus. Throughout the procedure, the mother remains under general anesthesia, while the fetus is kept in the uterus for the entire procedure. 

This procedure, while highly beneficial and efficient, demands a significant level of expertise, necessitating the involvement of the most skilled and experienced surgeons. This is also a relatively new procedure, only emerging within the past few decades. For these reasons, only approximately 20 hospitals in the entirety of North America offer fetal surgery, resulting in limited accessibility to many.. Furthermore, the surgery carries several risks: it may result in preterm labor, cause excess blood loss, lead to uterine scar thinning, and low blood pressure as a potential side effect of medication used. In severe cases, it can also lead to the death of the fetus. Given the  numerous risks, fetal surgery is typically recommended only  in critical cases, such as when the procedure is required to save the life of the baby

Overall, fetal surgery is a revolutionary new procedure that has helped improve the lives of many, treating numerous birth defects such as spina bifida, fetal anemia, amniotic band syndrome, and more. Nonetheless, the procedure also carries many risks that must be taken into consideration. It is important to weigh the risks and benefits of this surgery to determine if it is the right choice for you.

Written by Hawi Teju at Incisionary

APA References

Boston Children’s Hospital. (n.d.). Fetal Surgery | Boston Children’s Hospital. Www.childrenshospital.org. Retrieved July 20, 2025, from https://www.childrenshospital.org/treatments/fetal-surgery

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Fetal Surgery. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24945-fetal-surgery

Deprest, J. A., Nicolaides, K. H., Benachi, A., Gratacos, E., Ryan, G., Persico, N., Sago, H., Johnson, A., Wielgoś, M., Berg, C., Van Calster, B., & Russo, F. M. (2021). Randomized Trial of Fetal Surgery for Severe Left Diaphragmatic Hernia. New England Journal of Medicine, 385(2), 107–118. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2027030

Mayo Clinic. (2019). Fetal surgery - Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/fetal-surgery/about/pac-20384571

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (2014, March 30). Fetal Surgery. Www.chop.edu. https://www.chop.edu/treatments/fetal-surgery