Maternal Complications following Open Fetal Myelomeningocele Repair at the Zurich Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy

Publication

Maternal Complications following Open Fetal Myelomeningocele Repair at the Zurich Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy

Journal Paper/Review - Nov 14, 2018

Winder Franziska, Vonzun Ladina, Meuli Martin, Moehrlen Ueli, Mazzone Luca, Krähenmann Franziska, Hüsler Margret, Zimmermann Roland, Ochsenbein-Kölble Nicole

Citation

Winder F, Vonzun L, Meuli M, Moehrlen U, Mazzone L, Krähenmann F, Hüsler M, Zimmermann R, Ochsenbein-Kölble N. Maternal Complications following Open Fetal Myelomeningocele Repair at the Zurich Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy. Fetal Diagn Ther 2018; 46:153-158.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Fetal Diagn Ther 2018; 46

Publication Date

Nov 14, 2018

Issn Electronic

1421-9964

Pages

153-158

Brief description/objective

INTRODUCTION
Despite undoubtable benefits of open fetal myelomeningocele (fMMC) repair, there are considerable maternal risks. The aim of this study was to evaluate and systematically categorize maternal complications after open fMMC repair.

METHODS
We analyzed data of 40 fMMC repairs performed at the Zurich Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy. Maternal complications were classified according to a 5-level grading system based on a classification of surgical complications proposed by Clavien and Dindo.

RESULTS
We observed no grade 5 complication (death of a patient). Five (12.5%) women demonstrated severe grade 4 complications: 1 case of uterine rupture in a nullipara at 36 gestational weeks (GW), a third-degree atrioventricular block which needed short mechanical resuscitation, a bilateral lung embolism requiring intensive care unit (ICU) management due to low-output syndrome, and chorioamnionitis and urosepsis both requiring ICU management at 31 GW. Twenty-six (65%) women had minor (grade 1-3) complications.

CONCLUSIONS
Only one grade 4 complication (uterine rupture, 2.5%) was a clear-cut direct consequence of fetal surgery. The other four grade 4 complications (10%) occurred in the context of, but cannot unequivocally be attributed to, fetal surgery, since they may occur also in other circumstances. The classification system used is a tenable step towards stringent documentation of maternal complications.