LAPAROSCOPIC TRANSUTERINE FETAL VESICOSTOMY: A FEASIBILITY STUDY

ABSTRACTPurpose: We evaluate the feasibility of applying minimally invasive techniques for fetal vesicostomy. We also evaluate whether transuterine fetal vesicostomy can be performed laparoscopically.Materials and Methods: A total of 25 pregnant ewes were time dated at approximately 90 days of gestation. With the animals under general anesthesia a low open abdominal incision was made and the uterus was brought out through the incision. With a 14 gauge needle the amniotic sac was filled with 1 to 2 l warm glycine. Three to 4, 5/12 blunt tip balloon trocars were placed in the uterus. Using laparoscopic techniques, a low transverse incision was made in the fetal abdomen, the bladder was opened at the dome and 2 running sutures were placed approximating the fetal abdominal wall to the edge of the fetal bladder. The trocar sites in the uterus were closed, and the maternal abdominal incision was closed.Results: Of the 25 pregnant ewes the technique was developed in the initial 15. In the subsequent 10 animals t...