Semin Plast Surg 2019; 33(03): 204-212
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1693431
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Advances in Fetal Surgery: Current and Future Relevance in Plastic Surgery

Alejandro Gimenez
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Rachel Kopkin
2   School of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, Louisiana
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Daniel K. Chang
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Michael Belfort
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Edward M. Reece
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
02 August 2019 (online)

Abstract

Scarless healing has long been the holy grail for plastic surgery. While historically fetal surgery has tempted plastic surgeons with the allure of scarless correction of congenital abnormalities, the risks far outweighed the benefits and these interventions never materialized. Current advances in fetal surgery with minimally invasive fetoscopic surgery have made these early fetal interventions safer, leading to expanding applications. While the plastic surgeon's role is limited as of yet, this article provides a review of the history of fetal surgery and the advances that may become relevant to the future plastic surgeon.

 
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