Your questions about spina bifida answered by fetal medicine specialist Dr. Ruben Quintero
Spina bifida is one of the most common fetal conditions that results in birth defects, and until recently, there wasn’t much that could be done to help babies until they were born. Dr. Ruben Quintero is a fetal medicine specialist at The Fetal Institute in Miami and in this podcast episode, he talks about advancements in the treatment of spina bifida, including minimally-invasive spina bifida treatments performed while the baby is in utero.
Dr. Quintero answers common questions about spina bifida so that families know their options, including:
What is spina bifida?
What treatments are available for spina bifida?
Can babies have surgery on spina bifida before they are born?
What should parents do if they receive a spina bifida diagnosis for their baby?
Tune in to the podcast and reach out to The Fetal Institute via our contact form or call us at (786) 971-2303 to learn more.
A podcast episode with fetal medicine specialist Dr. Eftichia Kontopoulos
Did you know that babies can have surgery while they are still in utero? The field of fetal medicine and fetal therapy is a fast-growing one, with more options for mothers facing grim fetal diagnosis during their pregnancies.
Dr. Eftichia Kontopoulos of The Fetal Institute in Miami is a pioneer in fetal medicine and on this podcast episode, Dr. Kontopoulos answers the questions:
What are fetal therapies?
Can babies have surgery before they are born?
What fetal conditions can be treated with fetal surgery?
Is fetal surgery non-invasive?
What can I expect during the fetal surgery process?
What should families know if they receive a grim fetal diagnosis?
Tune in to the podcast and reach out to The Fetal Institute via our contact form or call us at (786) 971-2303 to learn more.
Open spina bifida develops when the spine fails to close at some point along its length during fetal development.
Our group has worked on developing a minimally-invasive technique (so-called ‘keyhole surgery’) for the antenatal treatment of MMC, translating an experience of more than 10 years in the animal model to a viable clinical application. The technique does not require a hysterotomy (uterine incision). Instead, small instruments are placed into the womb through tiny incisions, and with the use of partial CO2 insufflation, the open spina bifida is repaired. This approach minimizes the risks of the surgery for the mother while preserving the potential benefits of the in-utero repair for the fetus.
WASHINGTON – The Institute for Surgical Excellence (ISE) today announced the appointment of Eftichia Kontopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., to its Advisory Board of Directors. ISE is a non-profit organization that convenes leading innovators, hospital executives, and surgeons to develop consistent, teachable and measurable surgical standards that directly improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Kontopoulos is an internationally recognized Fetal Surgeon. After completing a research fellowship at Harvard University, she conducted her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) at the Robert Wood Johnson University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, she continued there with her fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine. Subsequently, she served in the Ob/Gyn and Maternal Fetal Medicine Department at the University of South Florida, where she received formal training in Fetal Surgery and Fetal Therapy. She is double boarded in Ob/Gyn and Maternal Fetal Medicine. Currently, Dr. Kontopoulos practices at The Fetal Institute Miami, which she co-founded in 2017 providing consulting and management of high-risk pregnancies through specialized treatments.
“Dr. Kontopoulos will be an invaluable addition to the ISE Advisory Board of Directors as she will bring her shared vision of improving patient care and experience, and advancing surgical excellence,” said Dr. Martin Martino, ISE Executive Board Member and Gynecologic Oncologist.
“I am very honored to be part of the Advisory Board of the Institute for Surgical Excellence. Over the past twenty years, advancements in surgical techniques and technologies have provided the possibility of successful treatment of fetal conditions that previously were considered incurable. I am a firm believer that through solid research and proper surgical inventions, we can change the lives of our patients and their families. I am happy to share my vision with that of ISE.” said Dr.Eftichia Kontopoulos, M.D., Ph.D..
Together with her team, Dr. Kontopoulos has performed several pioneering surgeries and World’s first procedures. Dr. Kontopoulos has published chapters, books, and multiple peer-reviewed articles. Dr. Kontopoulos is a frequently invited speaker on Fetal Therapy, Fetal Surgery, and Advanced Endoscopic Surgical techniques in National and International meetings.
Robotic surgery is transforming the healthcare landscape. With precision and perfection, surgeons can challenge traditional operating procedures by reducing pain, risk, and recovery time. Today, minimally invasive techniques are primarily used in gynecology, urology, thoracic, and cardiac surgery. ISE looks ahead to an exciting year filled with surgical milestones.
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ISE is a 501(c)(3) public charity, whose mission is to create lasting solutions for complex healthcare problems related to emerging technologies, with the ultimate goal to improve patient care and outcomes. ISE utilizes a systems-based approach (collective impact model) to bring together key stakeholders from a variety of sectors to identify issues, set clearly defined goals, facilitate collaboration, determine and fill gaps, and better inform health care consumers. ISE is embarking on a series of transformational projects with respect to the role and standards of surgical technologies, with the first and current focus on Robotic Surgery. As part of this project, ISE continues to manage and develop the Robotic Training Network (RTN) through participation with hospitals across the country, and research-focused engagement with the Fundamentals of Robotics Surgery (FRS).
Open spina bifida (OSB), a birth defect that occurs in approximately 1 in 1,500 births in the United States, results from failure of the spine to close at some point along its length during fetal development. The defect leads to injury and loss of spinal cord tissue at and below the defect. Research showed that antenatal treatment of OSB via open fetal surgery, which requires opening the maternal abdomen and uterus, can improve the outcome of babies affected with OSB. However, the mother is at risk for rupture of the uterus (uterine rupture) and requires delivery by cesarean section for the affected pregnancy and for any subsequent pregnancy.
Doctors at The Fetal Institute, Miami and the USFetus, in collaboration with colleagues in Brazil, have developed a minimally-invasive (fetoscopic) technique to treat fetuses with OSB, which does not require opening the uterus. This allows the mother to deliver vaginally and avoid the risk of uterine rupture. The doctors are currently conducting a clinical trial to validate this new fetoscopic technique. For further information, please click here.
I respect and share the mission of The TTTS Foundation of providing babies and mothers in need with the best possible options for treatment.
Their website serves as the first point of information for families seeking treatment for TTTS, including TAPS, SIUGR and TRAP.
The TTTS Foundation does amazing work! I have admired over the years how much they have helped families in need and how effectively they have helped spread awareness. I share in the passion of The TTTS Foundation in helping families affected by these conditions.
I am truly honored and very pleased to be a member of the Medical Advisory Board of The TTTS Foundation and help to fulfill their mission.
– Dr. Eftichia V. Kontopoulos
TTTS Foundation Medical Advisory Board
Dr. Kontopoulos is an internationally recognized fetal surgeon. Since 2017, Dr. Kontopoulos is member and Co-Founder of The Fetal Institute Miami, where she practices Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Fetal Therapy and Fetal Surgery.
For more information about TTTS, including TAPS, SIUGR and TRAP, please go to tttsdfoundation.org.
Parents Lauren and Ryan were helped by The TTTS Foundation when Lauren was diagnosed with TTTS. She had laser surgery at 18 weeks. She developed post laser TAPS, a form of TTTS, and had a second laser surgery. Precious little Collin and Caden were born at 27.4 weeks and are now safe at home with their big sister Juliana.
The mission at The Fetal Institute is to provide the utmost care to patients with complicated twin pregnancies, which is perfectly in line with that of The TTTS Foundation.
The Fetal Institute shares the passion of The TTTS Foundation in helping families affected by these conditions by providing state-of-the-art counseling and treatment.
For more information about TTTS, including TAPS, SIUGR and TRAP, please go to tttsfoundation.org
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