<i>Ex Utero</i> intrapartum treatment (EXIT)

Abstract

The anesthesia ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure is a specialized surgical procedure used to deliver babies who have airway compression due to cystic adenomatoid malformation, bronchopulmonary sequestration, cervical teratomas, or other congenital conditions. EXIT is erroneously known as a routine cesarean section (CS), but is rather an extension of CS with discernible differences. The procedure creates an opening in the anesthetized abdomen of the mother and uterus. Once EXIT is complete, the remainder of the CS proceeds. EXIT is much more complex than a routine CS, as it requires coordination between the mother and a multidisciplinary team of surgical and neonatal personnel. This review highlights current anesthetic concepts during the EXIT procedure.