Learning curve of open and fetoscopic spina bifida repair-oral presentation, FMF congress 2016

Joyeux, A. C. Engels, F. M. Russo, M.P. Eastwood, T. Van Mieghem, P. de Coppi, F. Van Calenbergh, J. Deprest

Conclusion: a learning curve can be established

For open surgery: stable preterm delivery after 30 cases with stable perinatal mortality (PNM) from 1st case. No conclusion can be drawn for operation time.
For fetoscopy: over 60 cases needed to achieve stable rates for PNM, preterm delivery & operation time. However after 60 cases, compared to open surgery, fetoscopy still has longer OT, higher preterm premature rupture of membranes and earlier delivery. Clinically this means that, in experienced hands, much more experience is needed to achieve comparable outcomes. It is a difficult procedure & not all limiting factors have been solved yet.