Modification of the gasless fetoscopy technique for the treatment of large myelomeningocele: a study in sheep.

Objective: To change the gasless fetoscopy technique in order to reduce the diameter of entry orifices in the myometrium.

Methods: Seven pregnant ewes were submitted to fetoscopy for repairing a large skin defect measuring 4.0 × 3.

Simplified correction of a meningomyelocele-like defect in the ovine fetus.

Purpose: To develop a simplified technique for antenatal correction of a meningomyelocele -like defect in fetal sheep to allow direct skin closure.

Methods: A spinal defect was surgically created at 75 days of gestation in the fetuses of 36 pregnant sheep, 23 survived the surgery. At 102 days gestation, the defect was corrected in 14 cases (9 were left untreated).

Biosynthetic cellulose induces the formation of a neoduramater following pre-natal correction of meningomyelocele in fetal sheep.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two dura-mater substitutes, namely human acellular dermal matrix (HADM) and biosynthetic cellulose (BC), in repairing, in utero, surgically-induced meningomyelocele (MMC) in fetal sheep.

Methods: A neural tube defect was created at 74-77 days gestation in 36 fetal sheep. They were divided into 3 groups, the control group that did not receive pre-natal corrective surgery, and the other two groups that received corrective surgery using HADM (Group A) or BC (Group B).

Validation of the ovine fetus as an experimental model for the human myelomeningocele defect.

Purpose: To produce a myelomeningocele-like human defect in the ovine fetus and validate this experimental model in our population.

Methods: A prospective study on 12 pregnant sheep of a crossed Hampshire/Down breed where a spinal defect was surgically created between Day 75 and Day 77 after conception. The technique consisted of a hysterotomy with exposure of fetal hind limbs and tail up to the mid spine.

Successful fetal surgery for the repair of a 'myelomeningocele-like' defect created in the fetal rabbit.

Objective: To study the correction of a 'myelomeningocele-like' defect in fetal rabbits.

Methods: Twelve pregnant rabbits had a spinal defect surgically created in 40 of their fetuses at 23 days of gestation. Immediate repair was performed in 30 fetuses (group I), and 10 remained uncorrected (group II).

A different technique to create a 'myelomeningocele-like' defect in the fetal rabbit.

Objective: To evaluate the fetal survival rate using a modified technique to surgically create a 'myelomeningocele-like' defect in a rabbit model.

Methods: Six white New Zealand rabbits had a spinal defect created in their fetuses at 23 days of gestation. At 30 days of gestation, the fetuses were harvested for anatomo-pathologic evaluation.