Ex utero intrapartum surgery (EXIT): indications and anaesthetic management

Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2004 Jun;18(2):259-71. doi: 10.1016/j.bpa.2003.11.001.

Abstract

The ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure is a technique for safely managing airway obstruction at birth, in which placental support is maintained until the airway is evaluated and secured. In addition to the usual considerations of anaesthesia in obstetrics there are special considerations relating to the EXIT procedure: maintaining fetoplacental circulation by profound uterine relaxation and achieving fetal anaesthesia for airway manipulations. This chapter focuses on the key issues involved in managing this procedure: the indications, preoperative concerns, organization of a multidisciplinary team, problems of maternal and fetal anaesthesia, maintenance of the uterine relaxation and control of fetal airway.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / diagnosis
  • Airway Obstruction / etiology
  • Airway Obstruction / surgery*
  • Anesthesia, Conduction
  • Anesthesia, General
  • Cesarean Section
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Monitoring, Intraoperative
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / prevention & control
  • Pregnancy Complications / surgery*
  • Uterine Contraction / drug effects