A Prospective Study on the Role of Karl Storz Curved and Straight Fetoscopes (11508AAK and 11506AAK) for Fetoscopic Intrauterine Procedures

In this research study, the investigators want to learn more about the role of new innovative surgical devices, the Karl Storz Curved and Straight Fetoscopes for in-utero surgery. A fetoscope is like a small telescope that can see inside of the uterus (womb) during minimally invasive surgery. The curved scope is used for patients with an anterior placenta (front of uterus), while the straight scope is used for patients with a posterior placenta (back of uterus). The scopes will be used to assist in procedures involving fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP), which is a minimally invasive surgery that uses a small camera (fetoscope) to locate abnormal blood vessel connections in the placenta and seal them off using laser energy. These fetoscopes will be utilized in the diagnosis and management of various fetal conditions that can arise during pregnancy. Outcome data will be reported in a descriptive statistical analysis. The investigators will assess the surgical outcomes, short and long-term morbidity, complications, and gestational age of participants in order to evaluate the benefit of using these devices.

Sex

Female

Minimum age

18 Years

Maximum age

45 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant patient with a condition requiring in-utero surgery
* Patient must be eligible for anesthesia
* Patient and father of the fetus (if available) are able to provide signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Allergy or previous adverse reaction to any ancillary medication specified in this protocol that has no alternative
* Preterm labor, preeclampsia, or uterine anomaly (e.g., large fibroid tumor) in the index pregnancy
* Suspicion of major recognized congenital syndrome on ultrasound or MRI that is not compatible with postnatal life
* Pre-pregnancy maternal BMI greater than 40
* High risk for fetal hemophilia
* Fetal aneuploidy or variants of known significance if an amniocentesis was performed
* Contraindication to abdominal surgery or fetoscopic surgery

• BACKGROUNDPetersen SG, Gibbons KS, Luks FI, Lewi L, Diemert A, Hecher K, Dickinson JE, Stirnemann JJ, Ville Y, Devlieger R, Gardener G, Deprest JA. The Impact of Entry Technique and Access Diameter on Prelabour Rupture of Membranes Following Primary Fetoscopic Laser Treatment for Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. Fetal Diagn Ther. 2016;40(2):100-9. doi: 10.1159/000441915. Epub 2016 Apr 14. PMID 27073886
• BACKGROUNDPapanna R, Block-Abraham D, Mann LK, Buhimschi IA, Bebbington M, Garcia E, Kahlek N, Harman C, Johnson A, Baschat A, Moise KJ Jr. Risk factors associated with preterm delivery after fetoscopic laser ablation for twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Jan;43(1):48-53. doi: 10.1002/uog.13206. PMID 24013922
• BACKGROUNDDiehl W, Diemert A, Grasso D, Sehner S, Wegscheider K, Hecher K. Fetoscopic laser coagulation in 1020 pregnancies with twin-twin transfusion syndrome demonstrates improvement in double-twin survival rate. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Dec;50(6):728-735. doi: 10.1002/uog.17520. PMID 28477345
• BACKGROUNDSenat MV, Deprest J, Boulvain M, Paupe A, Winer N, Ville Y. Endoscopic laser surgery versus serial amnioreduction for severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2004 Jul 8;351(2):136-44. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa032597. Epub 2004 Jul 6. PMID 15238624
• BACKGROUNDDeprest JA, Van Schoubroeck D, Van Ballaer PP, Flageole H, Van Assche FA, Vandenberghe K. Alternative technique for Nd: YAG laser coagulation in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome with anterior placenta. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 1998 May;11(5):347-52. doi: 10.1046/j.1469-0705.1998.11050347.x. PMID 9644775
• BACKGROUNDMiddeldorp JM, Lopriore E, Sueters M, Klumper FJ, Kanhai HH, Vandenbussche FP, Oepkes D. Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome after 26 weeks of gestation: is there a role for fetoscopic laser surgery? BJOG. 2007 Jun;114(6):694-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01337.x.