Open Myelomeningocele Repair With High Maternal BMI

The research will be conducted at the following location(s):

Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital- Women's Pavilion.

About 15 subjects will be enrolled in this study. In order to be eligible for this study, the participant must meet the established criteria for open fetal MMC surgery but also have a BMI of 35.0-40.0.

PREOPERATIVE AND INTRAOPERATIVE CONCOMITANT MEDICATIONS:

The participant will receive two doses of 12 mg betamethasone, 24 hours apart, for fetal lung maturation if the gestational age is greater than 23 weeks. The participant will also receive the prophylactic tocolysis (medications to prevent preterm contractions) indomethacin 50 mg prior to surgery, then 25-50 mg every six to eight hours for 24-48 hours following the surgery, longer if clinically indicated. Magnesium sulfate may also be used intraoperatively - 6 gram IV loading dose followed by a 2 gram/hour continuous infusion for 24 - 72 hours. In addition, if medically indicated, nifedipine (10mg orally) or terbutaline (0.25mg subcuticularly) may be substituted for the indomethacin or magnesium sulfate based on condition and medical judgment. Prophylactic antibiotics will also be administered to the participant prior to the procedure using cefazolin, azithromycin, and/or metronidazole, or if medical history contraindicates the use of cefazolin, clindamycin,azithromycin, and gentamicin will be administered. A solution of nafcillin and lactated ringers will be injected into the amniotic cavity at the conclusion of the procedure. Additional medications, including therapeutic antibiotics, may be used as part of standard of care by the medical team.

MATERNAL-FETAL ANESTHESIA:

The participant will have a lumbar epidural catheter placed prior to surgery for postoperative analgesia. The procedure will be performed under general anesthesia following a rapid sequence intubation with propofol and succinylcholine. Anesthesia will be maintained with 2-3 times MAC (Minimal anesthetic concentration) of volatile anesthetic agent. This high concentration of anesthetic agent provides adequate uterine relaxation during surgery. After the defect has been repaired and once closure of the skin incisions begins, local anesthetic will be administered through the epidural catheter and the participant will be started on a continuous epidural infusion of local anesthetic and opioid combination. The participant will receive this medication via an epidural pump for approximately 3-4 days following surgery. The epidural pump has the capability of the patient self-administering intermittent boluses of medication on top of the continuous infusion rate if the participant becomes uncomfortable in the post-operative period.

The fetus will receive an intramuscular injection of opioid (fentanyl 5-10 mcg/kg), anticholinergic (atropine 20 mcg/kg), and muscle relaxant (vecuronium 0.3 mg/kg) into the buttock or extremity using a 22G needle that is passed through the port in order to provide muscle relaxation, sedation, and analgesia. The drug dosages are adjusted to the estimated fetal weight. The fetus will receive the injection prior to starting the CO2 gas insufflation into the uterus and will continue to receive the combo injection approximately every 45 - 60 minutes throughout the remainder of the procedure as deemed necessary by the medical team.

Subsequent combo injections will be administered by passing the 22G needle through one of the uterine ports. General maternal anesthesia with anesthetic gases is known to provide fetal anesthesia. The combination injection will provide muscle relaxation and additional analgesia to the fetus. This combination of medications is routinely administered to fetuses during open fetal surgery and has been found to adequately sedate the fetus during fetal intervention procedures.

SURGICAL REPAIR:

The investigators will either make a lower transverse incision (also called the 'bikini cut') or a midline vertical incision to gain access to the uterus. The incision will be about the same size (about 8-10 inches) that is needed for a typical cesarean section procedure. Once the uterus is exposed an ultrasound will be performed to determine the position of the fetus for the surgery and cardiac function will be monitored. If necessary, the fetus will be gently repositioned from outside the uterus so that the fetal back is facing upwards. Ultrasound will be used to help the surgical team determine the position of the fetus at all times.

The fetus will receive an anesthesia injection into the buttock or thigh prior to the start of the repair. The anesthesia injection is a combination of medications that block pain and help relax the muscles. In addition, maternal anesthesia is also known to provide anesthesia to the fetus.

When the defect is clearly identified, the spinal cord will be released from its attachments to the skin. The skin edges will be sewn together using an absorbable suture and repair technique similar to the standard technique in women with BMI<35.0. Sometimes it might be better to use one type or style of suture (surgical thread) during the surgery. While this can be generally the same from one patient to the next, it may be in the participating mother's or fetus's best interest to change the suture or suture technique to adapt to the surgery being performed.

All pre- and post-operative care and all follow-up visits are the same as with any open procedure and are considered standard of care; therefore, the participant will not be responsible for any costs related to this research study other than the normal co-pays or deductibles. Following the participant's discharge from the hospital, the participant will need to stay within a 30-minute drive of Texas Children's Hospital Pavilion for Women to allow for medical care after the operation. The participant will be responsible for any accommodation costs in Houston.

POSTOPERATIVE FOLLOW-UP:

The investigators will collect clinical information from the participant's medical chart during standard clinical care. In addition, the investigators will collect clinical information about the participating child until he/she turns 5 years old. The following information will be collected from clinical records of the participating mom and child : 1. Demographics (age, parity, height, weight, BMI, use of drugs and alcohol, smoking, clinical disease, medications, medical history); 2. Prenatal data (gestational age, ultrasound and MRI findings, results of amniocentesis, vital signs) 3. Fetal intervention (surgery information, gestational age, complications, post-procedure follow-up including ultrasound); 4. Intra-partum data (ultrasound and MRI findings, gestational age at delivery, type of labor, mode of delivery, indications and complications, status of port sites if cesarean delivery); 5. Immediate neonatal period data (birth weight, Apgar scores, physical exam findings, hydrocephalus assessment, repair site condition, imaging, need for surgery or shunt placement, imaging results); 6. Long-term follow-up every 3-4 months in the first year, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, and Year 5 (physical exam findings, imaging results, and hydrocephalus assessment).

Like all children with spina bifida, the participating child will be taken care of by the pediatric neurosurgery service after birth. Follow-up visits occur in the Spina Bifida Clinic at Texas Children's Hospital. All follow up visits are considered standard of care and will occur as follows:

After the baby is born, and before they leave the hospital, they will have a physical exam, an assessment of hydrocephalus, urinary and orthopedic evaluations, and imaging of their brain.

In the first year, the child will have a visit every 3-4 months where a physical exam and urinary and orthopedic evaluations will be done. Year 1 and Year 2 visits will include: a physical exam, developmental assessment, urinary and orthopedic evaluations, and an assessment for hydrocephalus. The Year 1 visit will also include imaging of the child's brain and spine (this may be repeated if needed at any point).

At Year 3 and Year 4, a physical exam and urinary and orthopedic evaluations will be done.

Year 5 is the end of participation in this study. This visit will include: a physical exam, developmental assessment, assessment for hydrocephalus and imaging of the child's spine and head.

After Year 5, there will be routine annual follow up visits. If the participant moves away from Texas, the investigators will attempt to follow up with a review of the mom and child medical records The participant will be asked to sign a medical record release, every year if needed, to allow this to occur. The participant may be contacted by study staff regarding any changes to the study and asked to sign a new informed consent form. The participant may be contacted by phone by study staff about the medical release form or changes to the study.