Fetal Endoscopic Tracheal Intubation: modification of the FETI procedure to establish an airway in a fetus with a congenital cervical teratoma.

Introduction: FETI is a technique where the fetal airway is secured in-utero via intubation by percutaneous endoscopic fetal tracheoscopy under ultrasound guidance. FETI has been described in large fetal neck masses with anatomical airway compression as a feasible airway management strategy and a potential alternative to an EXIT procedure in select cases. Case presentation: This report describes the use of a modified FETI procedure under continuous fetoscopic and ultrasound guidance, in a fetus with a large cervical teratoma causing airway displacement and compression. Following the FETI procedure, an uncomplicated caesarean section was performed. The endotracheal tube was in place at the time of birth and a patent airway was confirmed. Conclusion: The modified FETI procedure described in this report represents another technique that can be used to establish an airway in fetuses with challenging upper airway anatomy, potentially mitigating the risks associated with an EXIT procedure.

Automated summary

This report presents a modified FETI procedure performed on a fetus with a large cervical teratoma causing airway displacement and compression. The procedure, guided by fetoscopy and ultrasound, provides a potential alternative to an EXIT procedure for establishing a patent airway in fetuses with challenging upper airway anatomy, potentially mitigating associated risks.