Maternal-fetal surgery: history and general considerations.

: This article reviews fetal intervention for congenital anomalies, which has evolved from a mere concept to a medical specialty over the past 3 decades. Advances in surgical techniques have paralleled developments in fetal imaging, fetal diagnosis, and the advent of maternal tocolysis to prevent preterm labor. Fetal intervention has become an important option for fetuses who would otherwise not survive gestation or who would endure significant morbidity and mortality after birth. However, there were many trials and tribulations as fetal surgery developed into a medical specialty.