Advanced Procedures

Treatment options that were unimaginable only a few years ago are regularly saving the lives of unborn babies. Working together, our experienced team of maternal fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists and pediatric specialists offer a number of advanced procedures before and after delivery to give your baby the best start in life.

If fetal surgery is needed, we have a worldwide network of contacts through our association with the North American Fetal Therapy Network (NAFTNet) and the Fetal Therapy Nurse Network (FTNN) to find the most promising ways to help your baby.

Advanced Fetal Procedures

Using the newest, most advanced tools, combined with years of experience, our team performs a variety of advanced procedures.

EXIT (Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment Procedure) Deliveries

The Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment Procedure (EXIT procedure) is a special delivery performed when it is anticipated that a baby, or babies in the case of twins, will have an immediate, critical problem once separated from the mother at delivery.

The purpose of an EXIT is to provide the necessary intervention to the baby before the umbilical cord is cut, avoiding the crisis and allowing for a more stable transition from placental circulation to newborn circulation.

The Cardinal Glennon St. Louis Fetal Care Institute performs EXIT procedures at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - St. Louis.

Bladder Outlet Obstruction to Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction (LUTO)

The most common fetal surgery option for Bladder Outlet Obstruction to Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction (LUTO) is the placement of a vesicoamniotic shunt. The shunt is a small flexible tube that is placed through the skin and into the baby’s bladder, allowing urine to pass into the amniotic cavity. The shunt can increase the potential for normal amniotic fluid levels, which assist in the proper function and development of the fetal kidneys, bladder, and lungs.