Anesthesia for Maternal-Fetal Surgery

With advances in ultrasound, birth defects are increasingly detected during pregnancy and may be amenable to surgical correction before delivery, to improve outcomes. This essential book discusses the different birth defects that can be treated during pregnancy and the important anesthetic considerations for the mother and fetus undergoing these procedures. Experts in the fields of anesthesiology, maternal fetal medicine, surgery, and pediatrics have come together to develop the content of this book. Enhanced throughout with full color images and illustrations, the book covers important topics such as spina bifida, twin-twin transfusion syndrome, sacrococcygeal teratoma, and lung masses, as well as fetal cardiac intervention, intrauterine transfusion, ex utero intrapartum treatment, and multidisciplinary approaches to fetal surgery. An invaluable guide for pediatric and obstetric anesthesiologists, anesthesiology, obstetrics, and surgical trainees, nurse anesthetists, and maternal-fetal medicine specialists.

Intraoperative management for ex-utero intrapartum treatment: focusing on the fetus

Ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) is a method of securing the airway of a fetus while maintaining umbilical circulation for newborns who are experiencing life-threatening airway obstruction. Cesarean section is completed only after ensuring the neonate’s safety. However, managing the airway of a neonate while maintaining umbilical circulation is a major challenge for anesthesiologists. Anesthesiologists must understand the physiology of both the mother and fetus, and extensive discussions with obstetricians, pediatricians, otolaryngologists, and nursing staff prior to the procedure are essential. This review provides an overview of the EXIT and details of airway management for neonates.