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AJP Rep 2016; 06(02): e222-e225
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1579538
Case Report
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Fetoscopic Amniotic Band Release in a Case of Chorioamniotic Separation: An Innovative New Technique

Michael A. Belfort
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Children's Hospital Fetal Center, Houston, Texas
,
William E. Whitehead
2   Department of Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital Fetal Center, Houston, Texas
,
Robert Ball
3   St. Mark's Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah
,
Robert Silver
4   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Utah
,
Alireza Shamshirsaz
2   Department of Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital Fetal Center, Houston, Texas
,
Rodrigo Ruano
2   Department of Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital Fetal Center, Houston, Texas
,
Jimmy Espinoza
2   Department of Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital Fetal Center, Houston, Texas
,
Judith Becker
5   Department Pediatrics (Cardiology), Texas Children's Hospital Fetal Center, Houston, Texas
,
Olutoyin Olutoye
6   Department Anesthesiology, Texas Children's Hospital Fetal Center, Houston, Texas
,
Larry Hollier
7   Department Surgery (Plastic Surgery), Texas Children's Hospital Fetal Center, Houston, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

13 November 2015

17 December 2015

Publication Date:
10 June 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction Fetoscopic release of amniotic bands has proved its life- and limb-saving potential. Rupture of the amnion and separation of chorion from the amnion and uterine wall can however preclude the standard fetoscopic approach to release the amniotic bands using a single port.

Methods and Materials A 28-year-old G1P0 woman was referred to our unit at 19 weeks due to amniotic band syndrome involving the left ankle, the infrapatellar region of the right leg, and the umbilical cord. Of note, part of the fetus was seen outside the amniotic cavity by ultrasonography and the left ankle and foot were severely swollen. The patient underwent a laparotomy and fetoscopic release of the amniotic bands as well as partial amnionectomy using two uterine ports and CO2 as distention.

Results The surgery and postoperative recovery course were uneventful. At 341/7 weeks the patient went into labor, which was augmented resulting vaginal delivery of a 2,460-g male infant. The infant was noted to have a shallow skin indentation on the left lower extremity near the ankle. The infant was discharged in excellent condition.

Conclusion In those cases where release of an amniotic band is impossible due to membrane separation, surgery in a CO2-filled uterus offers an option.

Keywords

fetus - amniotic band - CO2 - 2-port - simplified closure
 

  • References

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