Open fetal surgery for myelomeningocele — is there the learning curve at reduction mother and fetal morbidity?

Objectives: We aimed to show how increased experience of a surgery team in fMMC repair influences maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes. Material and methods: We compare perinatal results of fMMC repair in our Fetal Surgery Center (FSC) in cohort groups for the early period (2005–2011 year; previous — PFSC, n = 46) and current period (2012–2015 year; current — CFSC, n = 74) to results of the randomized Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS, 78 patients). Results: The maternal morbidity due to fMMC repair was low and there was no difference comparing CFSC to PFSC and MOMS. The frequency of iatrogenic preterm labor (iPTL) ≤ 30 weeks of gestation decreased from 34.1% in PFSC to 23.9% in CFSC. Iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of membranes (iPPROM) was a common complication after fMMC repair in all cohorts. The total reduction rate of hindbrain hernation (HH) was similar in CFSC — 90.3% and PFSC — 82.1%. Conclusions: The increasing experience of our surgery team in fMMC repair majorly decreased the risk of iPTL.