Life-saving effects of fetal tracheal occlusion on pulmonary hypoplasia from preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Background: Preterm premature rupture of membranes before 22 weeks of gestation may result in severe fetal pulmonary hypoplasia. Fetoscopic tracheal balloon occlusion might result in catch-up pulmonary growth.

Methods: After preterm premature rupture of membranes at 16 weeks of gestation, magnetic resonance imaging at 26 0/7 weeks showed a fetal lung volume of 13 mL and pulmonary blood flow hardly could be detected. Fetoscopic tracheal balloon occlusion was performed at 27 6/7 weeks; within 6 days, fetal lung volume increased to 70 mL and lung blood flow normalized. The fetus was delivered electively at 28 6/7 weeks. Six hours after delivery, the neonate required only 21% oxygen and was extubated after 55 hours.

Conclusions: Short-term fetoscopic tracheal balloon occlusion may result in rapid normalization of fetal lung volume and blood flow in fetuses with life-threatening pulmonary hypoplasia from preterm premature rupture of membranes before 22 weeks of gestation.