Development of detachable silicone balloon for fetal tracheal occlusion

在这项研究中，我们已经证明了在怀孕的绵羊身上将可拆卸的圆柱形硅胶气囊插入胎儿气管是可行的。7只胎羊中有6只胎羊气囊在气管内停留了1-2周。特制气囊阻断胎肺对胎肺生长的影响与气管结扎或夹闭一样显著。球囊插入所需的子宫切开术小至1厘米。这种方法对临床是有益的，因为它对怀孕的子宫是微创的，而且通过超声引导球囊穿刺术可能是可逆的。然而，在所有气管闭塞的动物中都可以看到气管软化。为了避免这种严重的并发症，必须在气囊大小上进行更精细的选择。

In this study, we have shown that insertion of a detachable, cyllinder-shaped silicone balloon to the fetal trachea is feasible in pregnant sheep. The balloon stayed inside the trachea for 1-2 weeks in 6 out of 7 fetal lambs. The effect of tracheal occlusion by this custom made balloon on fetal lung growth was as remarkable as that induced by tracheal ligation or clipping. The hysterotomy required for the balloon insertion was as small as 1 cm. This approach is clinical beneficial because it is minimally invasive to the pregnant uterusand is potentially reversible by ultrasound guided puncture of the balloon. However, the tracheal malacia was seen in all of the trachea-occluded animals. Finer selection in the balloon size is mandatory to avoid this serious complication.