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Fetoscopic Neural Tube Defect Repair

Fetoscopic Neural Tube Defect Repair: Observational Pilot Study

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06946563
Acronym
NTD
Enrollment
25
Registered
2025-04-27
Start date
2023-04-01
Completion date
2033-04-30
Last updated
2025-04-27

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Neural Tube Defects, Spina Bifida

Keywords

Fetal Surgery, Fetoscopy

Brief summary

This is a single-arm prospective study to record maternal and neonatal outcomes on subjects who undergo fetoscopic repair of Neural Tube Defects (NTD) at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Fetoscopic repair will take place between 24 weeks 0 days and 27 weeks 6 days gestation. Surgical, post-operative, delivery, and neonatal outcomes will be collected.

Detailed description

Patients undergoing fetoscopic NTD repair will be enrolled. Possible surgical approaches include completely percutaneous, laparotomy assisted, or mini laparotomy. Surgical approach will be determined by placental location, maternal body habitus, and shared decision making with the patient. The actual fetoscopic NTD repair is the same regardless of the surgical approach. Follow-up data collection will occur post-operatively, at delivery, NICU admission, and throughout childhood.

Interventions

DEVICEFetoscopic Neural Tube Defect Repair Devices

Fetoscopic NTD repair will be performed on enrolled participants. An incision will be made to gain exposure and access to the uterus. The amniotic cavity is entered using a needle to administer fetal anesthesia. Then, the initial trocar is inserted into the amniotic cavity. The major steps of the procedure are neural placode dissection, myofascial flaps creation, and closure of the neural tube defect.

Sponsors

Oregon Health and Science University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Maternal age 18 years or older * Capable of consenting for their own participation in the study * Decision to have fetoscopic repair following counseling of all options * Open spina bifida with the upper boundary between T1 and S1 * Gestational age between 24 0/7 to 26 6/7 weeks' gestation at the time of surgery * Normal karyotype and/or normal chromosomal microarray by invasive testing. In the case of a microdeletion, microduplication, or variant of uncertain significant, the decision to include or exclude will be at the discretion of the Principal Investigators. * Absence of major cardiac anomalies confirmed by fetal echocardiogram * Adequate social support throughout pregnancy * Parental or guardian willingness to undergo follow-up evaluations of the child after birth

Exclusion criteria

* Multiple gestation * Major fetal anomalies unrelated to the neural tube defect * Kyphosis in fetus of 30 degrees or more as assessed by ultrasound or MRI * Previous spontaneous singleton preterm birth prior to 37 weeks * Presence of cervical cerclage at the time of surgery or history of cervical insufficiency * Cervical length less than 20 mm by endovaginal ultrasound * Placenta previa or evidence of placental abruption * Technical factors such as large uterine fibroids, uterine anomalies, or fetal membrane separation for which the risks of surgery are deemed to outweigh the benefits * Maternal obesity precluding surgical access with a BMI \> 45 or if the Principal Investigator determines the body habitus to be technically challenging * Alloimmunization in pregnancy including Kell sensitization or a history of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia * Maternal HIV or Hepatitis B positive status. If the patient's HIV or Hepatitis B status is unknown, the patient must be tested and found to be negative prior to surgery * Known Hepatitis C positivity. If the patient's Hepatitis C status is known, they do not need to be screened * Maternal medical condition which is a contraindication to surgery or general anesthesia. This includes previous hysterotomy in the active segment of the uterus * Maternal medical co-morbidities which would significantly increase the risk of spontaneous or iatrogenic preterm delivery * Inability of the patient to comply with travel and follow-up requirements of the study * Patient not meeting psychosocial criteria determined by fetal care social worked to comply with the medical care and plan for follow ups * Participation in another interventional study that influences maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality * Known history of hypersensitivity to collagen products or chondroitin materials

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Feasibility of minimally invasive surgical repair of NTD in fetusAt the time of NTD repair surgeryWhether closure was achieved and whether the case was completed using the fetoscopic technique

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Chiari II malformation reversalPost-surgery ultrasound (weekly from surgery to delivery), post-surgery fetal MRI (4-6 weeks after surgery), and postnatal MRI (5-7 days after birth)Reversal of hindbrain herniation based on ultrasound, fetal MRI, and postnatal MRI

Countries

United States

Contacts

Primary ContactWomen's Health Research Unit Department of Ob/Gyn
whru@ohsu.edu503-494-3666

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026