Fetal and EX Utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT)

When you diagnose a life-threatening congenital abnormality or mass in an obstetric patient’s fetus, such as a high-risk lung lesion, you now have the choice of referring your patient for fetal surgery and ex utero intrapartum treatment, or EXIT.

Dallas

What is Fetal and EX Utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT)?

EX Utero Intrapartum Treatment or EXIT is a special surgical procedure used to deliver babies that are high-risk due to lung and airway conditions.

What can I expect with Fetal and EX Utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT)?

Performing fetal surgery is complicated, involving much more than a cesarean section and delivery or closure until delivery. During an EXIT procedure, the pregnant mother requires deep anesthesia and monitoring to ensure the uterus remains relaxed. Surgeons must preserve circulation and avoid complications in the mother or fetus.

Our experienced team monitors both mother and infant to keep both patients stable and allow the placenta to continue sustaining the infant until we complete repair, such as tumor resection or establishment of an airway. Our pediatric surgeons have each completed a full residency in general and pediatric surgery and maintain board certification in both disciplines. We perform more than 4,300 surgeries each year at our four locations.

What can I expect after Fetal and EX Utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT)?

Following surgery, our patients receive care in our NICU, which has received Level IV designation and is staffed by expert and experienced neonatologists, pediatric surgeons and sub-specialists.