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).