AMNIOINFUSION WITH HARTMANNS SOLUTION - A SAFE DISTENSION MEDIUM FOR ENDOSCOPIC FETAL SURGERY IN THE OVINE MODEL

In this study, we have investigated the maternal effects of distending the uterine cavity with Hartmann's solution in 2nd trimester equivale nt pregnant sheep. In 7 pregnant ewes, double endoscopic cannulation o f the amniotic cavity was performed under general anesthesia, and 1 li ter of Hartmann's solution at 38 degrees C, radiolabeled with Tc-99m-r ed blood cells, was infused. Maternal central venous pressure, hematoc rit, serum and amniotic fluid osmolarity, and amniotic fluid volume we re measured at nine time points within a 2-hour period. Over this time interval, no significant fluid shift to the maternal compartment was observed. We detected no adsorption of radioactivity to the fetus or m embranes, and no diffusion of radioactivity to maternal or fetal tissu es was noticed. We conclude from these experiments that following doub le cannulation and intra-amniotic infusion of Hartmann's solution into the 2nd-trimester pregnant ovine uterus, no significant shift of flui d to the maternal compartment was observed over a 2-hour lime period.