Fetoscopic laser for TTTS: assessment, procedure, and follow-up
Fetoscopic laser treats the placental vascular connections driving selected twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome after specialist staging and counselling.
Fetal surgery / A closer examination
Precision.
Perspective.
Before birth.
The operation is one chapter. Understand the selection, the evidence, the maternal risks, and everything that follows.
Open the surgical atlas TOTAL trial: benefit and risk, side by side
Explore the knowledge library
Know the procedure being discussed.
FETO for congenital diaphragmatic hernia: who may benefit?
FETO is a fetoscopic balloon procedure considered for selected severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia after detailed severity and eligibility assessment.
Fetoscopic spina bifida repair before birth
Prenatal fetoscopic repair of open spina bifida requires detailed imaging, multidisciplinary selection, maternal-risk counselling, and long-term follow-up.
Maternal risks of fetal surgery and implications for future pregnancy
Fetal surgery has maternal anaesthetic, procedural, obstetric, and future-pregnancy implications that must be discussed separately from fetal benefit.
Fetoscopy explained: access, uses, risks, and recovery
Fetoscopy uses a small telescope to inspect or treat the fetus, placenta, or membranes through a carefully planned percutaneous access route.
After fetal surgery: recovery, surveillance, delivery, and newborn care
Care after fetal surgery continues through maternal recovery, ultrasound surveillance, delivery planning, neonatal treatment, and long-term follow-up.
The evidence room / TOTAL trials, 2021
Same procedure.
Different evidence.
Severity changes the conversation about FETO for isolated left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Compare the findings within each randomized trial—not between the two patient populations.
Survival to NICU discharge
Percent of the relevant trial group
Birth before 37 weeks
Percent of the relevant trial group
How to read this result
A survival benefit, with more preterm birth.
The severe trial found improved survival to neonatal intensive care discharge. It stopped early for benefit. The confidence interval was wide, and the increase in preterm birth remains important.
- Relative risk of survival
- 2.67
- 95% confidence interval
- 1.22–6.11
Research results—not Mediclinic outcomes or an individual prediction. Both groups received standardized postnatal care. Birth-outcome denominators differ in the severe trial; moderate-trial birth percentages are reported as published.
Open the original trial reference
Deprest et al. · NEJM 2021 · DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2027030Survival to NICU discharge
Percent of the relevant trial group
Birth before 37 weeks
Percent of the relevant trial group
How to read this result
The survival difference was not statistically significant.
In the moderate trial, the survival confidence interval included 1 (P=0.06). Preterm birth was more frequent with FETO. A higher percentage alone does not establish a proven benefit.
- Relative risk of survival
- 1.27
- 95% confidence interval
- 0.99–1.63
Research results—not Mediclinic outcomes or an individual prediction. Both groups received standardized postnatal care. Birth-outcome denominators differ in the severe trial; moderate-trial birth percentages are reported as published.
Open the original trial reference
Deprest et al. · NEJM 2021 · DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2026983What the balloon does—and does not do.
FETO temporarily occludes the fetal trachea to retain lung fluid and encourage lung growth. It does not close the hole in the diaphragm. Balloon removal, a planned delivery pathway, neonatal intensive care, and postnatal repair remain essential parts of care.
Read the complete FETO guideMake the most of your appointment
Bring your questions. Leave with a plan.
Use this checklist as a conversation starter. Tick the questions you want to ask, then print this page to take with you.
Selections stay on this page only and are not sent or saved.
Care in the UAE
Where assessment and treatment take place
Specialist MFM assessment is available through Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital in Abu Dhabi and Mediclinic Al Jowhara Hospital in Al Ain. Fetal-therapy procedures are coordinated through the designated Abu Dhabi programme. Patients in Dubai can enter the diagnostic and referral pathway through Mediclinic, with the appropriate location confirmed during triage.
Abu Dhabi
Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital
Specialist assessment and the fetal-therapy procedure hub.
View location ↗
Al Ain
Mediclinic Al Jowhara Hospital
Full maternal–fetal diagnostics and coordinated referral.
View location ↗Dubai
Mediclinic referral pathway
Diagnostic and referral access through Mediclinic. The team confirms the appropriate facility during triage.
Ask the referral team ↗Questions, answered
A few things you may be wondering.
Does a specialist referral mean something is wrong?
Not necessarily. An assessment may offer reassurance, clarify an uncertain finding, or plan closer care. The reason for referral determines the next step.
Can I contact the team myself?
Yes. The self-referral form needs your name, phone number, city, and a brief explanation. Other details are optional. The team will contact you and arrange any records needed.
Where do assessment and treatment take place?
Specialist MFM assessment is available through Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital in Abu Dhabi and Mediclinic Al Jowhara Hospital in Al Ain. Fetal-therapy procedures are coordinated through the designated Abu Dhabi programme. Patients in Dubai can enter the diagnostic and referral pathway through Mediclinic, with the appropriate location confirmed during triage.
How do I prepare for a second opinion?
Write down the question you want answered and your gestational age. Have your reports and previous results available. The team will explain how to share any images securely after making contact.
When should I seek urgent help?
Heavy bleeding, severe pain, fluid loss, reduced fetal movements, collapse, breathing difficulty, seizures, or a severe headache with visual symptoms need immediate medical assessment. Do not wait for an online form response.
Your next step
Let’s make the next step clearer.
Tell the team your concern. We will contact you to help coordinate the right assessment.