Fetal Laryngoscopy and Endoscopic Tracheal Intubation to Avoid ex utero Intrapartum Treatment in the Management of Fetuses with Suspected Airway Obstruction.

Introduction: Large congenital neck tumors can cause neonatal death due to airway obstruction. The aim of this study was to report outcomes of the first cohort of fetuses with neck masses and suspected airway obstruction managed with fetal laryngoscopy (FL) and fetal endoscopic tracheal intubation (FETI) to secure fetal airways and avoid ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort of consecutive fetuses with neck masses that were candidates for an EXIT procedure due to suspicion of laryngeal and/or tracheal occlusion on ultrasonographic (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination were recruited for FL in a tertiary referral center in Queretaro, Mexico.

Management of Late Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome beyond 26 Weeks: Comparison between Fetoscopic Laser Therapy versus Traditional Management.

Introduction: A proportion of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) can present after 26 weeks of gestation. The aim of this study was to compare perinatal outcomes of late TTTS treated by fetoscopic laser coagulation versus traditional management with amniodrainage and/or emergency preterm cesarean delivery (CD).

Methods: Retrospective cohort from January 2012 to January 2023 of consecutive MCDA twin pregnancies complicated by TTTS after 26 weeks and evaluated in our referring centers.

Flexible Video Fetoscopy: Feasibility and Outcomes of a Novel Modality for Laser Therapy in Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome Presenting with Inaccessible Anterior Placenta.

Introduction: Identification of intertwin anastomosis may be challenging during fetoscopy in cases with complete anterior placenta. The aim of this study was to describe the technique, feasibility, and outcomes of flexible video fetoscopy for laser coagulation in monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) presenting with inaccessible anterior placenta.

Methods: From April 2021 to March 2022, a prospective cohort of consecutive MC twin pregnancies complicated with TTTS presenting with anterior placenta after 20 weeks was recruited.

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and coronavirus disease 2019: impact on diagnosis, referral, eligibility for fetoscopic laser therapy, and outcomes.

Background: Because of the progressive nature of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, difficulties in healthcare access during the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to delayed diagnosis and referral to fetal surgery centers, which may have repercussions on outcomes.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the clinical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnancies complicated with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study of consecutive monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies complicated with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome evaluated in our national referral fetal surgery center at Queretaro, Mexico, for possible surgical fetoscopy was conducted.

Prediction of neonatal survival according to lung-to-head ratio in fetuses with right congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH): A multicentre study from the Latin American CDH Study Group registry.

Objective: To evaluate survival outcomes of fetuses with right sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) treated in Latin American centres and to assess the utility of left lung area to predict neonatal survival.

Methods: A retrospective cohort including isolated right sided CDH cases managed expectantly during pregnancy in six tertiary centers from five Latin American countries. The utility of the observed/expected lung-to-head ratio (O/E-LHR) in predicting neonatal survival was assessed, and the best cut-off to predict prognosis was automatically selected by decision tree analysis.

Fetoscopic urethral meatotomy in fetuses with lower urinary tract obstruction by congenital megalourethra.

Background: To describe the perinatal outcomes of fetoscopic urethral meatotomy (FUM) in fetuses with lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) by congenital megalourethra.

Study Design: Between 2012 and 2020, 226 cases with LUTO were referred to our fetal surgery center in Queretaro, Mexico. We report the perinatal outcome of cases with LUTO by congenital megalourethra that were selected for FUM in an attempt to release the penile urethral obstruction.

Preoperative Cervical Length Predicts the Risk of Delivery within One Week after Pleuroamniotic Shunt in Fetuses with Severe Hydrothorax.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the predictive performance of preoperative cervical length (CL) for delivery within 1 week after pleuroamniotic shunting (PAS) in fetuses with severe hydrothorax.

Methods: A prospective cohort of fetuses with severe hydrothorax referred to our fetal surgery center in Querétaro, Mexico from January 2012 to July 2020. Severe fetal hydrothorax was diagnosed as an accumulation of fluid within the fetal pleural space accompanied with severe bilateral lung compression, mediastinal shift, polyhydramnios, and/or hydrops.

Single Uterine Access for Bilateral Pleuroamniotic Shunting in Fetuses with Severe Hydrothorax by an Internal Rotational Maneuver: Feasibility and Outcomes between Successful and Failed Procedures.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the feasibility of single percutaneous uterine access for bilateral pleuroamniotic shunting (PAS) in fetuses with severe hydrothorax by using an internal rotational maneuver and to compare perinatal outcomes between successful and failed procedures.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 25 fetuses with isolated bilateral hydrothorax and hydrops were referred to our fetal surgery center in Queretaro, Mexico during an 8-year period. Bilateral PAS was first attempted through a percutaneous single uterine access by internal rotation of the fetus, which was achieved by using the blunt tip of the same cannula, and in case of a failed procedure, a second uterine port was used to place the second shunt.

Open Fetal Microneurosurgery for Intrauterine Spina Bifida Repair.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe the feasibility of open fetal microneurosurgery for intrauterine spina bifida (SB) repair and to compare perinatal outcomes with cases managed using the classic open fetal surgery technique.

Methods: In this study, we selected a cohort of consecutive fetuses with isolated open SB referred to our fetal surgery center in Queretaro, Mexico, during a 3.5-year period (2016-2020).

Prenatal diagnosis of laryngo-tracheo-esophageal anomalies in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia by ultrasound evaluation of the vocal cords and fetal laryngoesophagoscopy.

Background: To evaluate the incidence of laryngeal ultrasound (US) abnormalities in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and to assess the utility of fetal laryngoesophagoscopy for prenatal diagnosis of laryngo-tracheo-esophageal anomalies.

Study Design: A cohort of CDH fetuses with laryngeal ultrasound abnormalities were selected for diagnostic fetal laringoesophagoscopy in a single fetal surgery center at Queretaro, Mexico.

Results: During the study period, 210 CDH fetuses were evaluated.

A multicentre study to predict neonatal survival according to lung-to-head ratio and liver herniation in fetuses with left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH): Hidden mortality from the Latin American CDH Study Group Registry.

Objective: To evaluate natural history of fetuses congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) prenatally diagnosed in countries where termination of pregnancy is not legally allowed and to predict neonatal survival according to lung area and liver herniation.

Methods: Prospective study including antenatally diagnosed CDH cases managed expectantly during pregnancy in six tertiary Latin American centres. The contribution of the observed/expected lung-to-head ratio (O/E-LHR) and liver herniation in predicting neonatal survival was assessed.

Insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene in lupus nephritis among Mexicans.

Unlabelled: The angiotensin (Ang)-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism determines Ang II levels, but its relationship with lupus nephritis (LN) in different populations is controversial.

Objective: To describe the allelic and genotypic distribution of the I/D polymorphism in Mexican mestizos with LN and assess an association with histological classes.

Methods: We included 24 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without nephropathy, 41 with LN, 144 healthy subjects, and 36 with primary glomerulonephritis (GMN).