Exit to Airway: Delivery of a Term Fetus with Anterior Neck Mass
Keywords:
EXIT to airway, Ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT), uteroplacental support, cervical neck massAbstract
Ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) to airway is a rare and complex procedure performed during caesarean section, in which the fetal airway is secured before the umbilical cord is clamped to sustain uteroplacental circulation. It is a life-saving procedure used in cases of congenital upper airway anomalies or obstruction caused by cervical masses. It enables securing the fetal upper airway while still supported by placental circulation, thus decreasing hypoxia-related morbidity. It is relatively safe when executed by skilled and well-trained personnel. We performed EXIT to airway on a term baby with an anterior neck mass detected antenatally with ultrasonography. It was conducted smoothly with interdepartmental involvement including an obstetrician, a fetal-maternal team, neonatologists, and a paediatric otorhinolaryngologist, with well-structured plans and simulations. The ORL team performed direct laryngoscopy and assisted telescopic intubation, completing the procedure in approximately five minutes.References
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