Fetal surgery

Although most fetal defects are best managed after birth, a few with predictable, life-threatening developmental consequences have been successfully corrected in utero. Many technical problems have been solved, but preterm labor remains a significant risk to mother and fetus. Less invasive interventional techniques and fetal stem cell transplantation promise to extend the indications for intervention. (AM J OBSTET GYNECOL 1996;174:1255-64.)