We describe the contents of the IFCIR and present post-natal data to suggest potential benefit to fetal therapy among pregnancies considered for possible intervention and support proposals for additional work.

ETV, as an alternative to initial shunting, may continue to show promising results for treating fetal MMC repair patient population who present with symptomatic hydrocephalus during infancy and early childhood. Although our overall CSF diversion rate (ETV and VPS groups) in our fetal MMC group is higher than the MOMS trial, our shunting rate is lower given our higher incidence of patients with successful ETV. To our knowledge, this is the largest reported ETV series in patients who underwent fetal MMC repair. ETV deserves a closer look in the setting of improved hindbrain herniation in fetal in-utero MMC repair patients. In our series, young age (less than 6 months) and late GA at time of fetal MMC repair (after 23 weeks GA) were predictors for ETV failure, while in-utero stability of ventricular size (less than 4 mm) and in-utero ventricular size post-repair ≤15.5 mm were predictors for ETV success. Larger series and potential prospective randomized studies are required for further evaluation of risk factors for ETV failure in the fetal MMC patient population.

Variation in practice patterns for offering and performing maternal-fetal surgery for myelomeningocele repair exists among centers. Ongoing evaluation of inclusion and exclusion criteria as well as operative techniques is warranted to ensure continued safety, effectiveness, and beneficence.