Intrauterine Surgery for Spinal Defects: What is the Role of Ultrasound?

Abstract

Ultrasound imaging has led to the diagnosis of fetal anomalies that can affect many organ systems. Since the development of high-resolution real-time ultrasound, the possibility of surgical intervention before birth to correct or treat prenatally diagnosed abnormalities has been realized. Fetal surgery has become a new standard of care for the perinatal treatment of myelomeningocele for mothers and fetuses that meet the specific criteria. In this review, we will consider the role of ultrasound for open fetal surgery or minimally invasive fetal surgery approaches.