Instrumental requirements for minimal invasive fetal surgery

Abstract

Minimal invasive intrauterine interventions have gained their place in fetal medicine. Interventions on the placenta, umbilical cord, fetal membranes or on the fetus require special endoscopes with their respective sheaths, cannulas and additional instruments. Instruments for fetal therapy are purpose designed for the procedure of interest and most gynaecologists are therefore not familiar with them. We review the currently available instrumentation used during operations for complicated monochorionic multiple pregnancies, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, amniotic band syndrome, urinary tract obstruction and hydrothorax.