Premiere use of Integra™ artificial skin to close an extensive fetal skin defect during open in utero repair of myelomeningocele

Pediatr Surg Int. 2013 Dec;29(12):1321-6. doi: 10.1007/s00383-013-3412-7. Epub 2013 Sep 22.

Abstract

Background: There are fetuses demonstrating very large myelomeningocele lesion which can not be covered with autochothonous skin.

Material and methods: We use Integra™ artificial skin for intrauterine coverage of the back lesion. A reverse latissimus dorsi flap was used postnatally to reinforce the repair site.

Conclusion: Integra™ appears to be a suitable coverage for large soft tissue defects in utero. Moreover, a postnatal reverse latissimus dorsi flap appears to markedly strengthen tissue coverage over a spinal cord rescued in utero.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fetus / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Meningomyelocele / diagnosis
  • Meningomyelocele / surgery*
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Diagnosis / methods
  • Skin Transplantation / methods*
  • Skin, Artificial*
  • Surgical Flaps*
  • Treatment Outcome