Fetal spina bifida is a common birth defect that results in hydrocephalus, motor-, bowel-, bladder- and sexual dysfunction in the child. The condition is progressive in utero. Fetal surgery between 22-26 weeks gestation has been shown to stop the gradual fetal deterioration observed in this disease and improve infant outcomes. Children with spina bifida who have undergone fetal surgery have a lower need for hydrocephalus treatment (80%-\>40%) and twice the chance to walk independently by the age of 3 years (20%-\>40%). These benefits are also sustained in the longer term.
The traditional 'open' fetal surgical approach, however, as currently offered clinically at the Ontario Fetal Centre, comes with significant risks: it increases the risk of preterm birth, carries significant maternal morbidity and results in important uterine scarring. The latter comes with a risk of uterine rupture and fetal death both in the index pregnancy and future pregnancies.
To overcome these down sides of open fetal surgery, different centers have attempted a fetoscopic approach to the surgery. Fetoscopy indeed avoids uterine scarring and is likely protective against uterine rupture but is technically complex. This results in long surgical learning curves, poor dissemination of the surgery amongst centers worldwide, longer procedures and suboptimal surgical results which translate in decreased infant benefits - particularly with regards to motor function.
The investigators have developed a fetoscopic robotic approach where they leverage the dexterity of robotic instruments to perform these complex surgeries. The team expects that this will result in easier and faster procedures with better surgical outcomes and therefore fetal benefits comparable to open fetal surgery, while at the same time avoiding the need for hysterotomy.
In this prospective exploratory phase 1 study, the investigators propose to assess the feasibility of such a robotic approach, as developed and trained on a high-fidelity phantom, in 15 patients. The research team will collect maternal and fetal safety and efficacity data to inform later studies.
Isolated open fetal spina bifida
Healthy pregnant patient without risk factors for preterm delivery
Candidate for open fetal spina bifida surgery.
Maternal age 18 years or more and able to consent
Contraindication for surgery or safe anesthesia due to a severe maternal medical condition, including morbid obesity (BMI >40 kg/m2)
History of preterm birth, short cervical length, cervical cerclage
Placenta or vasa previa, invasive placentation
Inaccessibility of the uterus due to severe maternal obesity, uterine fibroids, bowel or placental superposition
Single group
Fetoscopic robotic open spina bifida closure
Procedure/SurgeryThree 9 mm laparoscopic trocars will be inserted into the uterus after the uterus is exteriorized through a maternal laparotomy. Partial amniotic carbon dioxide insufflation will be done with heated humidified gas. Using a surgical robot, multilayer closure of the lesion will be performed, similar to our current protocol in open fetal spina bifida closure (durapatch, myofascial flap, skin closure). Pre- and postoperative management will be similar to our current open fetal surgery protocol. Delivery will be by cesarean section, either when spontaneous labor occurs or at 39 weeks, whichever presents first.
Number of patients with successful closure of the fetal spinal defect using a laparotomy-assisted fetoscopic robotic technique
Number of patients who underwent successful closure of the fetal spinal defect in layers using a laparotomy-assisted fetoscopic robotic technique without conversion to hysterotomy.
Number of patients with severe fetal complications
Number of patients with severe fetal complications defined as a composite of intraoperative fetal heart rate decelerations requiring intervention and/or intra- or postoperative fetal death.
Number of patients with severe maternal complications
Number of severe maternal complications defined as a composite outcome including: need for maternal blood transfusion for hemorrhage, placental abruption, chorioamnionitis as assessed on placental pathology, ileus, wound infection or dehiscence, other serious maternal morbidity requiring admission to an intensive care unit, scar dehiscence or rupture at the time of delivery
Number of patients experiencing preterm prelabor rupture of membranes
Incidence of Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes (PPROM). Gestational age at PPROM (in weeks' gestation) will also be recorded.
Number of patients experiencing preterm birth
Gestational age at birth will be recorded in weeks (in weeks) and categorized as \<28, \<32 and \<37 weeks' gestation. Number of patients experiencing preterm birth is number of those delivering prior to 37 weeks' gestation.
Number of patients undergoing cesarean delivery
Mode of delivery will be recorded as cesarean delivery, spontaneous vaginal delivery or assisted vaginal delivery. Number of patients undergoing cesarean delivery will be reported
Infant birthweight
Infant birthweight measured in grams
Number of neonates requiring respiratory support
Number of neonates requiring respiratory support defined as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or invasive ventilation.
Duration of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Stay
Length of initial neonatal stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care unit, measured in days.
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Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada
Lead sponsor
The Hospital for Sick Children
Collaborator
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