A call for innovation in fetal monitoring during fetal surgery

Abstract

Purpose

A growing number of fetal procedures are performed at specialized fetal care centers for congenital problems that classically would have poor outcomes despite advanced postnatal management. Consistent fetal monitoring is integral to the safety of these challenging and innovative surgeries. However, standardization of fetal monitoring during various forms of fetal surgery has yet to be established.

Materials and methods

We searched all articles on literature platforms until August 2019 using the terms “fetal surgery,” “fetal monitoring,” and “fetal interventions.” Titles and abstracts were screened by our coauthors to determine the type of fetal monitoring used in these cases.

Results

The search identified 1,625 citations, of which the 50 citations considered most pertinent were included in this review.

Conclusions

Fetal monitoring during in utero fetal surgeries continues to be challenging because of limited physical fetal access and technological aspects. Innovations in fetal cardiac monitoring during fetal surgeries have the potential for continuous and high-fidelity hemodynamic and physiologic monitoring, with the goal of early detection and treatment of fetal compromise.

Keywords:

• Fetal anesthesia
• fetal intervention
• fetal monitoring
• fetal surgery
• fetoscopic surgery

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).