Oral Presentation - 1
Initial Urological Outcome After Fetoscopic Repair of Spina Bifida In Turkey
Şeyhmus Kerem Özel 1, İbrahim Alataş 2, Ali Gedikbaşı 3, Hüseyin Canaz 2, Thomas Kohl 4
1 İstanbul Bilim University Spina Bifida Research Center Department of Pediatric Urology
2 İstanbul Bilim University Spina Bifida Research Center Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery
3 İstanbul Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Education and Research Hospital Department of Perinatology
4 Giessen Justus Liebig University German Center for Fetal Surgery
AimFetal repair of spina bifida offers a favorable outcome in terms of hydrocephalus and lower extremity motor function in children with spina bifida. However the urological outcome is still undetermined. The aim of this study was to observe the urological outcome after our initial experience with fetoscopic repair of spina bifida. Patients and MethodsThe medical records of patients who were fetoscopically repaired for spina bifida were evaluated. During initial urological examination, their bladder status was determined with urodynamics and radiological studies. The current treatment of the patients were also noted. ResultsFetoscopic repair of spina bifida was done for four male patients in our center so far. All recovered from the surgery well and were born safely. Two of them were born at 31st gestational weeks and two others at 36th week. All of the patients had preserved central nervous system and lower extremity motor function. One had early tethered cord and moderate kyphosis. All patients had reduced bladder capacity, normal bladder compliance, overactive detrusor and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia at initial urodynamic study. Three patients had acceptable maximal detrusor pressure with an average of 60 cmH2O and one with tethered cord had 264 cmH2O. Two of them had hydronephrosis in their ultrasound examination and under close follow up. Three patients are currently under anticholinergic treatment, one needed catheterization and one did not need any treatment at all. Maximum follow up time is 15 months in two patients. Conclusion Fetal spina bifida repair has merit for preservation of central and peripheral nervous system. However its benefit on urinary tract is questionable. Long term follow up with larger patient cohort is needed to draw a definite conclusion.