Decision-making and operative considerations for Ex-utero Intrapartum treatment (EXIT).

Objective To discuss the role of EXIT(ex-utero intrapartum treatment) procedure in the treatment of fetal neck mass.Methods Form 2007,9 to 2010,2,4 fetus were selected,those diagnosed neck huge mass with polyhydramnios in prenatal period.After term pregnancy,they were delivered by EXIT procedure in Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital and follow-up in our Children's hospital.All information of the neck mass,mass of air pressure on the circumstances,the preoperative on mechanical ventilation was recorded,and the effect and prognosis of these patients were evaluated.Results Boy: girl: 3:1.They all delivered by EXIT procedure after full term.Three cases depended on the mechanical ventilation before the operation.Enhance CT showed trachea obviously compressed and lapsed.The most serious patient was found the pharynx under pressure.Those 3 cases had operations in neonatal period.The other one case had no operation and follow-up in clinic department.Four cases were diagnosed as enterogenous cyst 1 case,lymphangioma 2 cases and pyriform sinus fistula 1 case.Conclusions EXIT procedure would provide a ventilation pathway for baby with reduced hypoxia.Fetal with neck mass delivered by EXIT procedure will get good prognosis,the treatment results will be satisfactory. Key words: Birth; Neck; Prognosis

View Supplementary Video 1 Laryngoscope, 131:660–662, 2021

The EXIT (Ex utero Intrapartum Treatment) procedure is done in cases where difficulty is anticipated in neonatal airway establishment at delivery and is done at the time of caesarean section. The partially delivered fetus is maintained on placental circulation while airway is established and this is carried out by a multidisciplinary team. In this paper, we review the indications, the maternal and fetal considerations of the procedure and the results and outcomes. The review highlights the fact that the benefits far outweigh the risks and that the risk of postpartum haemorrhage is more theoretical than real. As technology improves and more anomalies are diagnosed during the antenatal period, the EXIT procedure can be performed with good results after carefully considering the ethical issues. We have performed a MEDLINE search by using the keywords EXIT, CHAOS, fetal surgery, fetal neck masses and ex utero intrapartum treatment. As there are not many large studies, we have also reviewed smaller case series and case reports.

Purpose: We propose that using remifentanil in ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedures reduces the need for maternal exposure to general anesthesia. Using remifentanil along with spinal anesthesia eliminates the fetal and maternal risks associated with inhalational general anesthesia, allows the mother to be awake, and obviates the need for and costs associated with general anesthesia and a second anesthesia team. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all sequential patients undergoing ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure at our hospital from 1/1/2009 to 11/1/2010. All procedures were performed under regional neuraxial analgesia, using nitroglycerine as a tocolytic agent and remifentanil for analgesia. Variables included indication, time to secured fetal airway, complications, estimated blood loss, need for additional anesthetics, participating personnel, and survival. Results: All five of our ex utero intrapartum treatment procedures were successfully completed with combined spinal epidural remifentanil anesthetic. No patient was required additional alternative anesthetic. There were no complications with mother or fetus. Indications for procedure were arthyrogryposis (n = 3), fetal goiter, and micrognathia. Average time to secured airway was 10.25 minutes. Average estimated blood loss was 1010 ml. All five mothers were conscious during their procedure. Conclusions: We report the largest series of ex utero intrapartum treatment procedures performed with remifentanil regional anesthesia. We found that the combined use of nitroglycerin and regional remifentanil anesthesia is a safe alternative to the pediatric otolaryngologist for performing ex utero intrapartum treatment procedures without the risks of general anesthesia, allowing the mother to be awake for the delivery, and reducing the cost of providing care.

Ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedures

Intrapartum airway management for giant fetal neck masses: The EXIT (ex utero intrapartum treatment) procedure

The ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure is used to secure effective gas exchange prior to postnatal life. We describe the obstetrical course and maternal outcomes of a series of patients who underwent EXIT. This is a review of all pregnancies in which fetuses were delivered by EXIT from January 2001 to April 2018. Outcome variables included estimated gestational age (EGA) at delivery, need for emergency EXIT, maternal estimated blood loss (EBL), need for maternal blood transfusion, and maternal postoperative length of hospital stay. Data were tested for normality and reported as median [range] and n (%). A total of 45 patients were delivered by EXIT procedure. Sixteen (35.6%) of the EXIT procedures were performed emergently. Median maternal EBL was 800 (500-2000) mL; 6 (13.3%) patients received blood transfusion. Median maternal postoperative length of hospital stay was four [3-7] days. Our data highlight the complexity of the obstetrical management in the EXIT procedure as evidenced by an approximately 36% chance of emergency delivery. Despite having an experienced multidisciplinary team, 13.3% of our subjects underwent maternal blood transfusion. This information can be used in counseling EXIT candidates regarding the risks and benefits of this procedure.

Despite advances in neonatal intensive care, fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remain to have a poor prognosis. Exclusive postnatal treatment is inadequate in patients with moderate CDH (observed than expected lung-to-head ratio [O/E LHR] 26-45%) and can lead to respiratory failure at birth, requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in 75% of cases. An ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure may be beneficial in these cases, improving the fetal-neonatal transition. We review all pregnancies with fetal isolated left CDH with moderate O/E LHR delivered by EXIT in our center from January 2007 to December 2022. Maternal and neonatal variables were analyzed. As primary outcomes, we included neonatal survival and mortality rates, surgical and infectious complications, uterine scar dehiscence, and blood loss during EXIT. As secondary outcomes, we studied recurrences of the diaphragmatic defect, long-term evolution, subsequent pregnancies, and mode of delivery. A total of 14 patients were delivered by the EXIT procedure, with a neonatal survival rate of 85.7%. All these children had optimal physical and neurocognitive development and no pulmonary morbidity. We found no major complications and 7.1% of minor maternal complications. There were no cases of surgical wound infection or endometritis. The median decrease in hemoglobin during the EXIT procedure was 1.9 mg/dL, and only one case required postoperative transfusion. Two out of the 14 women became pregnant again, and both pregnancies were uneventful. In our series, the EXIT procedure allows for adequate airway management associated with a high neonatal survival rate in patients with moderate O/E LHR CDH, with a low rate of neonatal and maternal complications.

Ex utero intrapartum procedure for delivery of a fetus with a large cervical mass

Congenital high-airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) is due to rare malformations and has been reported previously in only few cases. If the diagnosis can be made prenatally, the ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure may be life-saving. A healthy 28-year old nulli-para was referred because of isolated ascites found at gestational week 16 during routine ultrasound scan. Repeated scans showed overdistended hyperechogenic lungs with inverted diaphragm and a dilated trachea, which was interpreted as a CHAOS resulting from laryngeal atresia. The ascites eventually disappeared. An EXIT procedure was performed at 35 weeks of gestation. Anesthesia of the mother was induced with thiopental, succinylcholine and fentanyl followed by intubation, and maintained with isoflurane and nitrous oxide. A low abdominal midline incision was performed followed by a low transverse incision of the uterus. The fetal head, right arm and shoulder were delivered and intramuscular anesthesia was administered to the fetus. Immediate laryngoscopy confirmed the diagnosis and a tracheostomy was therefore performed. Surfactant was given after a few minutes of ventilation. Compliance improved and when the fetus was easy to ventilate, it was delivered. The baby is developing normally at 18 months of age. Surgical correction of the malformation will be performed after two years of age. It is concluded that some fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of CHAOS can benefit from the EXIT procedure at delivery. This necessitates a multidisciplinary management team.

The EXIT procedure: Experience and outcome in 31 cases

Maternal morbidity and reproductive outcomes related to fetal surgery

EXIT Procedure in the Management of Severe Foetal Airway Obstruction. The Paediatric Otolaryngologist's Perspective

The ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure: looking back at the EXIT

Optimizing Outcome: Use of a Checklist for Otolaryngologists Overseeing Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT)