Vietnam's first fetal intervention using FETO technique

The Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, the team of the Center for Embryonic Medicine, successfully performed the first fetal intervention using FETO technique in Vietnam. This is an amnioscopic technique for temporarily blocking the fetal trachea, applied in the treatment of some severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia cases, opening up more treatment opportunities for the fetus right from the womb.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia causes organs in the abdominal cavity to move up to the chest cavity, compressing the lungs. In severe cases, the fetus may have pulmonary hypoplasia, increasing the risk of severe respiratory failure after birth.

In appropriate cases, FETO helps create conditions to promote lung development before a child is born. This is a complex technique, requiring high expertise, modern equipment and the coordination of many specialties.

The fetus is still very small, constantly moving in the amniotic cavity, requiring high accuracy to access the airway through endoscopy. A very small balloon must be accurately inserted into the trachea to create a temporary blocking effect.

To implement it successfully, the team must prepare carefully from assessing the pregnancy status, selecting indications, equipment to coordinating anesthesia, endoscopy, ultrasound and monitoring of the mother and fetus.

When the technical signal of success was confirmed, the tension in the operating room was relieved. The hugs, tears and emotion of the team of doctors and nurses became memorable moments, marking the achievements of intelligence and dedication for the life opportunity of a living being.

FETO is a specialized fetal intervention technique, currently only performed at some fetal medicine centers in the world. This technique requires a team of experienced experts along with a system of equipment and specialized care procedures.

Previously, some Vietnamese families had to take their children abroad to seek treatment opportunities, with high costs and pressure. The successful implementation of the first FETO case in Vietnam helped open up more domestic treatment options for suitable cases, while marking a new step forward in Vietnamese Embryonic Medicine.

TTND. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Anh, Director of the Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, said that modern fetal medicine allows detection, evaluation and intervention of some diseases right from the womb when there are appropriate indications. This requires close coordination between obstetrics, fetal medicine, diagnostic imaging, anesthesia and resuscitation, pediatrics, neonatal medicine and intensive care.

The success of the first FETO case is not only mastering a difficult technique, but also showing the ability to build a specialized fetal medical care system in Vietnam.

From prenatal diagnosis, risk assessment, family counseling, choice of indication, amniotic fluid intervention to pregnancy monitoring and postpartum resuscitation preparation, all require close coordination of the entire team.

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