Giant Neck Masses & The Exit Procedure

Every year, several future family learn that their unborn child has a giant neck mass that would endanger the child breathing ability after childbirth. In addition to obstructing the fetal airway, neck masses can lead to accumulation of excess amniotic fluid, which in turn can lead to preterm birth for the mother. Giant neck masses can grow to such large proportions that the fetal airway becomes distorted and obstructed.

In a small number of patients with cervical teratoma, a type of neck masses, the lungs are pulled up to the neck - which results in small lungs. Unsuspected obstructive fetal neck mass is often fatal because of the inability to secure the airway and ventilate the baby within minutes of delivery. Prenatal diagnosis is important. Fortunately, most children with giant neck masses are isolated anomalies and do well if managed with careful assessment of prenatal, prenatal monitoring, and operations using the Ex Utero Intrapartum Therapy (EXIT) procedure.

This procedure is an extension of caesarean section in which he made ​​the cut on the mother's abdomen and maternicu.Beba then partially delivered through the incision, while still attached by the umbilical cord. After the surgeon developing an upper respiratory tract to the fetus is relatively quick procedure can be done to remove any and all giant neck masses. Therefore, the umbilical cord is cut, clamped, and the child is fully delivered.

EXIT procedure is very complex and sensitive work, far more complex than the classic C-section. It requires tremendous planning and screening (usually with the help of ultrasound and MRI) and careful coordination between maternal and neonatal medical specialists charged with the care of newborns. One major difficulty lies in preserving blood flow through the umbilical cord during the procedure. In addition, the protection of the placenta and the uterine contractions are avoiding the issue to be addressed in order to successfully perform EXIT procedure and remove all the