INTRODUCTION: Prenatal diagnosis of myelomeningocele (MM) allows planning its management and, recently, a possible in utero repair. OBJECTIVE: To describe the perinatal outcome of fetuses with MM, in a Fetal Medicine Unit, identifying possible candidates for the in utero surgical repair. METHODO: Retrospective and descriptive study of 58 cases of prenatally diagnosed MM, at CAISM-UNICAMP, from January 1997 to December 2001, identifying possible fetal candidates for in utero repair. RESULTS: the diagnosis mean gestacional age was 29 weeks (17-39); level of lesions was above sacral region in 85%, association with hydrocephaly in 86%. Surgical complications were present in 39% of the neonates. During follow-up, 98% presented neurogenic bladder and 60% neurological/mental handicap. Twenty eight fetuses (42%) could have indication of in utero repair. CONCLUSION: MM is associated with severe and frequent poor results. Almost one third of our cases could had fetal repair as a treatment choice.
prenatal diagnosis; myelomeningocele; hydrocephaly; fetal surgery
