Fetal Surgery Process - Essay Example

FETAL SURGERY Fetal surgery is the process through which qualified doctors surgically intervene in the uteri, just before birth if the fetus shows any signs of developing complications that will cause harm to the life of the mother, or in the case of congenital abnormality which can be corrected. Doctors have been able to use the ultra sound technology to observe and monitor the progress of the fetus, while it is growing n the womb of the mother. This enables them to early detect any form of abnormality with the fetus, for example spina bifida. More so, the use of technological advances such as lasers and computers has made it easy for the doctors who perform these surgeries. The use of lasers has greatly reduced the amount of blood lost through most of the surgery, while expansively improving the prognosis of such procedures. This essay details the overall procedure used by the doctors to monitor, treat and prevent any case of fetal abnormality in the womb of the mother. It will also show various conditions that may be treated with the surgical precision, that are associated with the fetus. Procedure The success tempo of fetal surgery is not that good since the procedure maybe accompanied by the loss of the baby through a miscarriage, or even the death of the mother as a result of loosing blood during the surgery. Hydrocephalus and obstruction are the two complications that require the need of fetal surgery to correct them. Obstruction if untreated, may direct to the failure of the kidney, and also the failure of cerebrospinal fluid that hinders the efficient circulation of the fluid to the brain. Fetal surgery is also done to allow the lungs of the fetal develop normally in the uterus. Surgery is also applied in the case of an injured kidney, hence aiding in the opening of the urinary tract that were obstructed. Fetal surgery is used in some cases to treat sacro-coccygeal tumors in the fetus which may become large enough to cause a heart failure of the fetus, if it stays untreated. This condition is revealed by the use of ultra sound technology which enhances efficiency in the overall procedure. With the use of the ultra sound technology, doctors monitor the tumor and find its source of energy, most likely blood supply: they then proceed to cut the supply of blood to the tumor which renders it in active. The cut tumor may later be removed successfully after the birth of the child. Fetal surgery can be used to treat abnormalities such as: Myelomeningocele- this condition can also be referred to as spina bifida. This is a condition in which the spine of the fetus fails to close completely during the early developments of the fetus. This results in the intrusion of the spinal cord at the lower back of the abdomen. As a result, there are dire consequences if the condition is left untreated. It may cause the fetal to suffer from paralysis, hydrocephalus, bowel and bladder complications, and also in severe cases, there neurological abnormalities may also arise. CDH or Congenital diaphragmatic hernia may arise during the development of the fetus. In the scenario, the diaphragm does not fully develop; hence it allows the abdominal fluid to enter the chest cavity through an opened hole referred to as hernia, which results in a case of pulmonary hyperplasia, a condition where the lungs do not fully develop in the fetus. This condition affects every one child in almost two thousands birth cases. Obstruction- the urinary tract may be stymied and covered in the utero, and may fail to fully enlarge during the time of confinement of the newborn. The urethra which takes urine to the slight body from the kidney may be underdeveloped and may result in a case where the urine fails to excrete from the kidneys. As a result of the blocked urethra, the urine is retained in the kidneys and causes the kidney to bulge and enlarge as a result of destroyed tissues of the fetus. Amniotic fluid also starts to decline since fetal urine plays as its major component. This consequently results in the occurrence of pulmonary hyperplasia since the lungs develop from the enrichment of the amniotic fluid in the fetal development. Cyst Adenomatoid Malformation- this is a situation which presents itself as a pulmonary collection in the fetus of the developing child. Pulmonary hyperplasia may come up since the tissues are blocked, and the heart may also put under heavy pressure which may consequently result in heart failure and impaired development of ten lungs. In severe case, hydrops may appear which may root the death of the fetus. This is caused merely by the venal caval being obstructed or the compression of cardiac muscles caused by the vast chest weight. Utero lobectomy is enforced to try and correct hydrops which in many cases is effective. Twin–twin transfusion syndrome- this occurs when two fetuses carve up the same placenta during their development. It occurs when the rationing of blood levels is an even between the two fetuses. As an outcome, the benefactor twin receives an abnormally low blood amounts while the recipient twin consequently gains enormous volume of blood as it develops. This unusual abnormality leads to the over grow of one twin compared to the supplementary at the instance of birth. 80% of fetuses suffering from this abnormal condition die if left an attended for. The situation is corrected by the use of hollow needles which are inserted into the front of the mother where the excess amniotic fluid is drawn out taking care not to starve the fetuses of oxygen and nutrients while performing the operation. Another treatment of this condition involves the insertion of fetoscope apparatus into the womb of the uterus, while using a laser to heat and fasten the blood vessels that contribute blood to the two fetuses. The treatment separates the two twins’ blood vessels hence they remain with only independent blood supplier. Description and perspectives Premature delivery poses as one of the greatest risk to fetal surgery, as fetuses were thought to be viable after seven month of growth. When the surgery is undertaken, the mother is regularly medicated with drugs which reduce miscarriage and the probability of her feeling pain or having an early delivery. The drugs also facilitate the development of the lungs of the fetus, and the doctor also uses equipments that monitor the rate of the heart beat, and amount of urine in the bladder. The mother is also instructed to restrain from dining or drinking, twelve hours before the operation. She will also agree with a surgical approval and have her blood taken lest of blood transfusion. Once the doctors have detected a congenital abnormality, they asses the condition and conclude with the best remedy for the treatment of the fetus. Fetal surgery is only used when the doctors are sure and certain that a certain condition will prove fatal if the fetus is left without treatment. Fiber optic cables have been designed to pierce the uterus of the mother by minute incisions. Fetoscopic surgery is preferred as long as it is possible since it minimizes the possibilities of early labor. Fetal surgery poses some risks to the mother such as: infection to the uterus, bleeding and leakage of amniotic fluid, premature labor and or infertility. After the surgery is done with, the mother takes about five to ten days to fully recover from the after effects and symptoms of the procedure. She is then regularly monitored so that she does not go into early labor, and in most cases she is instructed to remain in bed occasionally. Cramping, vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain are some of the signs of an early labor. The mother is therefore administered by antibiotics. The outcome of fetal surgery depends on the method used to cure the abnormality. The cases of mortality rate are also significant especially during premature birth. Conclusion There are other alternatives that may be adopted for treating various birth defects, in relation to their seriousness. It is only when a serious case presents itself that the doctors relying on fetal surgery taking necessary action. The best promise of fetal treatment is that early intervention and treatment at the early stages will yield the optimum result. As time progresses, the use of these vital procedures to give life to the unborn babies will soon be widely adopted and accepted. Works Cited Adzick, Harrison. Aprospective study of the congenital diaphragmatic hernia surgery. London: London Press, 2008, press Adzick, N. Scott. Fetal surgery. Orlando: W.B. Saunders Co.2007, press Browne, Nancy Tkacz. Nursing care of the pediatric surgical patient. Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2007, press Lee, Hanmin. Fetal Surgery: An Issue of Clinics in Perinatology. Orlando: Saunders W B Co, 2010, press Nicholas M. Fisk, Kenneth J. Moise. Fetal therapy: invasive and transplacental. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Read More