Fetal surgery in sacroccygeal teratoma

Abstract

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common neonatal tumor. In a large number of cases, fetuses are born at term and the teratoma can be resected without complications. However, in another group, prematurity, hydrops and cardiac failure do not allow pregnancy interruption without consequences for the fetus. Here is where fetal surgery has a place. We conducted a search of the literature related to sacrococcygeal teratoma and case reports where surgery was performed, including those with details on the patient’s preparation, surgery, and the postoperative period. The average gestational age of presentation in ultrasound is 23 weeks. There is more literature on open surgery, and the main indication is hydrops or imminent cardiac failure. The reported cases with minimally invasive therapy are the least, with controversial results. Sacrococcygeal teratoma in the newborn is an entity with very good prognosis depending on the case, time of diagnosis, type of tumor, and malignancy potential. However, those of prenatal diagnosis are at high risk of complications and death. There are several reports of open surgery and EXIT procedure (special delivery technique where the sacrococcygeal teratoma is exposed through a limited incision in the uterus) with good surgical results but with high maternal and fetal comorbidity. Therefore, minimally invasive techniques have emerged to reduce the potential risks of open surgery; nevertheless, there are contradictory results.