ASSESSMENT OF ACCESS STRATEGIES FOR FETOSCOPIC UROLOGIC SURGERY - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS

Attempted endoscopic fetal interventions have been increasingly report ed, given the knowledge that minimizing the trauma to the uterus by a small access portal can allow prolonged amnioscopic-guided surgery, Nu merous fetal anomalies have been targeted for these interventions, inc luding congenital obstructive uropathies. This preliminary investigati on explored innovative access strategies utilizing time-dated pregnant ewes, 95 to 100 days' gestation (term 145 days), Two strategies were specifically investigated: percutaneous, ultrasonographically guided m icroamnioscopy and ultrasonographically aided, laparoscopically guided amnioscopy, Both strategies provided excellent fetal visibility and w ere facilitated by the use of small trocars and microlaparoscopic inst rumentation, which promoted prolonged amnioscopy with minimal access t rauma.