FETAL INTERVENTION FOR CONGENITAL DIAPHRAGMATIC-HERNIA

Despite improvements in surgical techniques, the results of open fetal surgery to correct congenital diaphragmatic hernia have been disappoi nting. Hysterotomy induces preterm labour and, where there is a large volume of liver in the fetal chest, reduction of the liver into the ab domen induces immediate fetal death. Less invasive techniques, using b oth open surgery and fetoscopy, are being developed in the hope of red ucing fetal demise. These techniques include blocking the trachea, the creation of an artificial gastroschisis and induction of graft tolera nce for postnatal lung transplantation.