A model for in utero endoscopic treatment of myelomeningocele

• Published in: Neurosurgery Vol. 33; no. 3; pp. 542 - 545
• Main Authors: COPELAND, M. L, BRUNER, J. P, RICHARDS, W. O, SUNDELL, H. W, TULIPAN, N. B, HOFFMAN, H. J, CIRICILLO, S. F, EDWARDS, M. S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01-09-1993
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cerebrospinal fluid. Spinal cord. Spinal roots. Spinal nerves; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Fetal Diseases - pathology; Fetal Diseases - surgery; Hysteroscopes; Medical sciences; Meningomyelocele - pathology; Meningomyelocele - surgery; Neurosurgery; Pregnancy; Sheep; Skin - pathology; Skin Transplantation - pathology; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Wound Healing - physiology; Nervous system diseases; Congenital disease; In utero; Vertebrata; Experimental disease; Mammalia; Treatment; Malformation; Animal; Surgery; Fetus; Sheep; Myelomeningocele; Artiodactyla; Endoscopy; Spinal cord disease; Ungulata
• ISSN: 0148-396X; 1524-4040
• DOI: 10.1097/00006123-199309000-00043

An animal model for intrauterine surgical treatment of myelomeningocele is described using sheep. We report the technical feasibility of endoscopic intrauterine skin graft placement over surgically induced defects, including over exposed spinal cord. These grafts exclude amniotic fluid from the underlying lesion and provide a matrix for fetal skin growth below the graft. The potential for human application is discussed.