FRANCOIS LUKS

Rhode Island Hospital

421-1939

Model for endoscopic fetal surgery in sheep.

Application: minimally invasive alternative to open fetal surgery in human.

Endoscopic tracheal obstruction to promote lung growth in fetal lamb:

AIMS: 1) Develop the model of endoscopic obstruction. Application: to treat pulmonary hypoplasia associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, by promoting lung growth. Tracheal obstruction causes lung growth, which will gradually reduce viscera back into the abdomen. By performing this antnatally, the hope is to have a baby with diaphragmatic hernia born with normal lungs, thereby improving the current 60% mortality rate. 2) Understand the mechanisms of fetal lung growth secondary to tracheal obstruction, by analyzing tracheal fluid, measuring intratracheal pressure following obstruction, and modulating tracheal pressures ad fluid composition.