Prenatal Endoscopic Repair of Fetal Spina Bifida (ENDOSPIN)

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of prenatal minimally-invasive fetoscopic closure with i) uterine exteriorization for a minimally-invasive repair under amniotic carbon dioxide insufflation ii) two trocars for the dissection and the cover with one patch or the suture of the skin edges by stitch

Compared with an open approach involving laparotomy and hysterotomy, an endoscopic approach for the prenatal surgery of myelomeningocele offers at least two potential advantages: i) it may reduce the maternal and obstetric morbidity related to the hysterotomy; ii) it may be performed earlier in gestation than open surgery, therefore potentially further reducing exposition of the spinal chord to the intraamniotic environment and thus improving the overall prognosis of the malformation. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure for the prenatal treatment of myelomeningocele in a single-center trial. Technically the procedure will be performed through 2 intra-amniotic ports, under fetoscopic visualization and intra-amniotic carbon dioxide insufflation. The defect will be dissected and the cord replaced in the canal. Closure will be performed by suturing paravertebral muscles using a barbed running suture. A Duragen patch will be sutured when primary closure is deemed impossible.

prenatal minimally-invasive fetoscopic closure with iii) uterine exteriorization for a minimally-invasive repair under amniotic carbon dioxide insufflation iv) two trocars for the dissection and the cover with one patch or the suture of the skin edges by stitch

Composite criteria: dissection of the placode primary coverage or use of a patch using only endoscopy with two trocars

Composite criteria: Stillbirth; Premature Rupture of Membranes; Preterm birth; Chorioamnionitis; Hemorrhagic complications during the peri-operative period; Other serious adverse events

Composite criteria: Stillbirth; Premature Rupture of Membranes; Preterm birth; Chorioamnionitis; Hemorrhagic complications during the peri-operative period; Other serious adverse events

Composite criteria: Motor deficit medullary reflex orthopedic anomalies consequences on perinea and sphincter

Inclusion Criteria: Patient > 18 years old, with an assumption by health insurance, understanding and speaking French A term < or = 26 +0 weeks gestational age Single-Pregnancy Myelomeningocele with higher-level defect between S1 and T1 Arnold Chiari anomaly No associated anomaly or chromosic anomaly Exclusion Criteria: severe foetal kyphoscoliosis associated Increased risk of preterm birth: cervical length <15 mm, history of at least 2 late miscarriages, existing premature rupture of membrane placenta previa, accreta or placental abruption Maternal obesity with BMI> 35 Uterine anomalies : large interstitial uterine fibroid, uterine malformation maternal infection with a foetal transmission risk: HIV, HBV, HCV Maternal contradiction in surgery or anesthesia poor social status and/or social isolation impossible post-surgery follow-up want to have a medical pregnancy termination

Kohl T. Percutaneous minimally invasive fetoscopic surgery for spina bifida aperta. Part I: surgical technique and perioperative outcome. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Nov;44(5):515-24. doi: 10.1002/uog.13430.

Adzick NS, Thom EA, Spong CY, Brock JW 3rd, Burrows PK, Johnson MP, Howell LJ, Farrell JA, Dabrowiak ME, Sutton LN, Gupta N, Tulipan NB, D'Alton ME, Farmer DL; MOMS Investigators. A randomized trial of prenatal versus postnatal repair of myelomeningocele. N Engl J Med. 2011 Mar 17;364(11):993-1004. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1014379. Epub 2011 Feb 9.

Degenhardt J, Schurg R, Winarno A, Oehmke F, Khaleeva A, Kawecki A, Enzensberger C, Tinneberg HR, Faas D, Ehrhardt H, Axt-Fliedner R, Kohl T. Percutaneous minimal-access fetoscopic surgery for spina bifida aperta. Part II: maternal management and outcome. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Nov;44(5):525-31. doi: 10.1002/uog.13389.

Verbeek RJ, Heep A, Maurits NM, Cremer R, Hoving EW, Brouwer OF, van der Hoeven JH, Sival DA. Fetal endoscopic myelomeningocele closure preserves segmental neurological function. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2012 Jan;54(1):15-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2011.04148.x. Epub 2011 Nov 29.