Fetal Endotracheal Occlusion (FETO) in Severe and Extremely Severe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (FETO)

A Prospective Study of the Effectiveness of Fetal Endotracheal Occlusion (FETO) in the Management of Severe and Extremely Severe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs when the diaphragm fails to fully fuse and leaves a portal through which abdominal structures can migrate into the thorax. In the more severe cases, the abdominal structures remain in the thoracic cavity and compromise the development of the lungs. Infants born with this defect have a decreased capacity for gas exchange; mortality rates after birth have been reported between 40-60%. Now that CDH can be accurately diagnosed by mid-gestation, a number of strategies have been developed to repair the hernia and promote lung tissue development.

Fetal tracheal occlusion is one technique that temporarily closes the herniated area with the Goldvalve balloon to allow the lungs to develop and increase survival at birth. This is a pilot study of a cohort of fetuses affected by severe CDH that will undergo FETO to demonstrate the feasibility of performing the procedure, managing the pregnancy during the period of tracheal occlusion, and removal of the device prior to delivery at BCM/Texas Children's Hospital (TCH). It is anticipated that fetal tracheal occlusion plug-unplug procedure will improve mortality and morbidity outcomes as compared with current management, but this is not a primary endpoint of the feasibility study. We will perform 20 FETO procedures on fetuses diagnosed prenatally with severe and extremely severe CDH.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Goldballoon Detachable Balloon and delivery microcatheter

Detailed Description

Enrollment

Women carrying fetuses with severe or extremely severe CDH and a normal karyotype will undergo routine clinical evaluation. The fetuses will be 27+0/7 to 29+6/7 weeks of gestational age for severe CDH and can be as early as 22+0/7 weeks gestational age for those deemed as "extremely severe" cases of CDH. They will have ultrasound and/or MRI evaluation to rule out other anomalies, calculation of the LHR from ultrasound measurements, echocardiography, and detailed obstetric/perinatal consultation. Patients who meet the eligibility criteria will be extensively counseled, and those who wish to participate will provide written, informed consent for the study.

Procedure

The procedure will be performed under spinal anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. The technique of fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion has been described. Using standard technique, a cannula loaded with a pyramidal trocar will be inserted into the amniotic cavity and a fetoscope or flexible operating endoscope will be passed through the cannula into the amniotic fluid. If, upon evaluation, the baby cannot be accessed through the way just described above, the uterus will be accessed through an incision in the belly (called a laparotomy). A laparotomy is a surgical technique that makes an incision in the abdomen. After the incision has been made, the uterus will be temporarily repositioned externally. The baby will then be accessed using the fetoscope and ultrasound, as described above. The laparotomy will only be done if the baby cannot be reached and repositioned to a more favorable one by doing external maneuvers (called external version) for the FETO procedure.

The scope will be guided into the fetal larynx either through a nostril and then via the nasal passage or through the fetal mouth, and then through the fetal vocal cords with the aid of both direct vision through the scope and cross-sectional ultrasonographic visualization. A detachable latex balloon will be placed in the fetal trachea midway between the carina and the vocal cords. The balloon will be inflated with isosmotic contrast material so that it fills the fetal trachea.

Postoperative

The mothers will be discharged once stable. Serial measurements of sonographic lung volume and LHR will begin within 24-48 hours following surgery and continue weekly by targeted ultrasound evaluation. Amniotic fluid level and membrane status will also be monitored at weekly intervals. Comprehensive ultrasonography for fetal growth will be performed every four weeks (+/- 1 wk). All discharged patients will stay within 30 minutes of TCH to permit standardized postoperative management and emergent retrieval of the balloon in the event of preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes prior to the scheduled removal.

After the FETO surgery, prior to leaving the hospital, the mother will be given a medical alert bracelet identifying her as a patient with a baby with blocked airways. She will be encouraged to wear the bracelet at all times so that in case of emergency, she and others will know who to contact. She will also be given a pamphlet with instructions for medical personnel describing how to remove the balloon in case of an emergency. She should carry it with her at all times.

Balloon retrieval will be planned at between 32+0/7 and 34+6/7 weeks or no longer than 10 wks after placement, at the discretion of the FETO center. The patient will need to commit to remaining in 30 minutes of Texas Children's Hospital Pavilion for Women until the balloon is retrieved. In the event of a patient relocating after having the balloon placed, despite having committed to remain in the area during consent process, she will be asked to return for the removal. Every effort to make arrangements for her to be managed by the nearest center capable of an EXIT procedure or balloon retrieval (San Francisco or Philadelphia) will be made.

After removal of the balloon, patients will have the choice of delivering at Texas Children's Hospital- Women's Pavilion with the CDH managed and repaired at TCH, or returning to their obstetrician for delivery with subsequent repair of the CDH by the pediatric surgeons at their referring facility. Given the severity of the CDH, the baby will need to be delivered in a facility that has the capability of immediate pediatric surgery services.

We will need to monitor the baby at regular intervals (at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years) after delivery to see how well the baby is breathing and how well the baby is developing. These check- ups may be at Texas Children's Hospital- Women's Pavilion or can be coordinated with other doctors of the participant's choosing.

If the child continues care at another institution, we will attempt to follow up with a review of the child's medical records.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 20
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Texas
    • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
      • Texas Children's Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 45 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

• Patient is a pregnant woman between 18 and 45 years of age
• Singleton pregnancy
• Confirmed diagnosis of severe or extremely severe left, right or bilateral CDH of the fetus

Severe CDH: -Fetal liver herniated into the hemithorax -Lung-head ratio (LHR) is less than or equal to 1.0 calculated between 27+0/7 and 29+6/7 weeks' gestation

Extremely Severe CDH: -At least 1/3rd of the liver parenchyma herniated into the thoracic cavity -Lung-head ratio (LHR) is < 0.71 calculated between 22+0/7 and 29+6/7 weeks' gestation

• Normal fetal echocardiogram or echocardiogram with a minor anomaly (such a small VSD) that in the opinion of the pediatric cardiologist will not affect postnatal outcome
• Normal fetal karyotype
• The mother must be healthy enough to have surgery
• Patient provides signed informed consent that details the maternal and fetal risks involved with the procedure
• Patient willing to remain in Houston for the duration following the balloon placement until delivery
• Signed informed consent

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

• Contraindication to abdominal surgery, fetoscopic surgery, or general anesthesia
• Allergy to latex
• Allergy or previous adverse reaction to a study medication specified in this protocol
• Preterm labor, preeclampsia, or uterine anomaly (e.g., large fibroid tumor)
• Fetal aneuploidy, known structural genomic variants, other major fetal anomalies, or known syndromic mutation
• Suspicion of major recognized syndrome (e.g. Fryns syndrome) on ultrasound or MRI
• Maternal BMI >40
• High risk for fetal hemophilia

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Device Feasibility
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Fetal Endotracheal Occlusion; Placement and retrieval of the GoldBAL4 or GoldBal2 Detachable balloon using the plug/unplug method, using BALTACCIDBPE100 Delivery Catheter.

Device: Goldballoon Detachable Balloon and delivery microcatheter; Between 27+0/7 - 29+ 6/7 weeks gestation for severe CDH and can be as early as 22+0/7 weeks gestational age for those deemed as "extremely severe" cases of CDH, placement of the Goldvalve detachable balloon. Balloon retrieval will be planned for between 32+0/7 and 34+6/7 weeks or no longer than 10 weeks after balloon placement at the discretion of the FETO center.; Other Names: GOLDBAL4 or GOLDBAL2 Goldballoon; BALTACCIBDPE100 delivery microcatheter

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
2-year Survival	To assess two-year neonatal survival following FETO.	2 years after childbirth.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Maternal Outcomes- Maternal Morbidity-incidence of preterm delivery	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart review. Maternal morbidity will be assessed in terms of incidence of preterm delivery (spontaneous or indicated).	Up to 6 weeks postpartum
Maternal Outcomes- Maternal Morbidity-incidence of cesarean section	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart review. Maternal morbidity will be assessed in terms of incidence of cesarean section rate.	Up to 6 weeks postpartum
Maternal Outcomes- Maternal Morbidity-length of hospitalization	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart review. Maternal morbidity will be assessed in terms of length of hospitalization after the FETO procedure.	Up to 6 weeks postpartum
Maternal Outcomes- Maternal Morbidity- length of hospitalization after UNPLUG procedure	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart review. Maternal morbidity will be assessed in terms of length of hospitalization after balloon removal (UNPLUG)	Up to 6 weeks postpartum
Maternal Outcomes- Maternal Morbidity- vaginal bleeding	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart review. Maternal morbidity will be assessed in terms of incidence of post procedure vaginal bleeding.	Up to 6 weeks postpartum
Maternal Outcomes- Maternal Morbidity- Placental abruption	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart review. Maternal morbidity will be assessed in terms of incidence of post-procedure placental abruption.	Up to 6 weeks postpartum
Maternal Outcomes- Maternal Morbidity- Rupture of membranes	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart review. Maternal morbidity will be assessed in terms of incidence of post-procedure rupture of membranes. Amniotic fluid level and membrane status will also be monitored at weekly intervals by ultrasonography.	Up to 6 weeks postpartum
Maternal Outcomes- Maternal Morbidity- oligohydramnios	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart review. Maternal morbidity will be assessed in terms of incidence of post-procedure oligohydramnios.Amniotic fluid level and membrane status will also be monitored at weekly intervals by ultrasonography.	Up to 6 weeks postpartum
Maternal Outcomes- Maternal Morbidity- chorioamnionitis	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart review. Maternal morbidity will be assessed in terms of incidence of post-procedure chorioamnionitis.	Up to 6 weeks postpartum
Neonatal/Child outcomes- Pulmonary Morbidity- ventilatory support	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart. Short-term measures of neonatal pulmonary morbidity, including the duration of neonatal ventilatory support.	Up to 2 years of age
Neonatal/Child outcomes- gastrointestinal morbidity	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart. Short-term measures of gastrointestinal morbidity.	Up to 2 years of age
Neonatal/Child outcomes-neurologic morbidity	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart. Short-term measures of neurologic morbidity.	Up to 2 years of age
Neonatal/Child outcomes- Survival to discharge from the hospital	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart. Survival to discharge from the hospital.	Up to 2 years of age
Neonatal/Child outcomes- Duration of hospitalization.	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart. Duration of hospitalization after delivery.	Up to 2 years of age
Neonatal/Child outcomes- recurrent infection	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart. Assessments of measures of long-term morbidity as the rates of recurrent infection.	Up to 18 years of age
Neonatal/Child outcomes- repeated hospitalization	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart. Assessments measures of long-term morbidity as the need for repeated hospitalization. A general health questionnaire will also be given in the form of an interview, either face to face or over the phone. The questionnaire contains questions regarding the children's health status; including hospitalizations, medications, surgical procedures, medical interventions and additional therapies he/she is receiving, and questions to evaluate his/her behavioral and social development.	Up to 18 years of age
Successful completion of surgical procedures/balloon placement	To assess the successful completion of surgical procedures/placement of balloons in fetuses with severe or extremely severe CDH.Case report forms are utilized to record study related data, including any procedural complications such as failed balloon placement or failed balloon retrieval, as well as surgical or anesthesia complications. At least twice a month fetal surveillance will be performed for up to 10 weeks post balloon placement.	Up to 10 weeks.
Neonatal/Child outcomes- Pulmonary Morbidity - ECMO	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart. Short-term measures of neonatal pulmonary morbidity, including the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.	Up to 2 years of age
Neonatal/Child outcomes- Pulmonary Morbidity- Supplemental oxygen	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart. Short-term measures of neonatal pulmonary morbidity, including the need for administration of supplemental oxygen.	Up to 2 years of age
Neonatal/Child outcomes- need for supplemental oxygen	Case report forms are utilized to record study related data through patient's medical chart. Assessments of measures of long-term morbidity as the need for supplemental oxygen.	Up to 18 years of age
Neonatal/Child outcomes- Neurodevelopmental	DP-3 questionnaire will be utilized to record study related data. Assessments of neurodevelopmental outcomes.	Up to 18 years of age

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Michael A Belfort
• Collaborators: Baylor College of Medicine
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Michael Belfort, MD, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine - Texas Children's Hospital

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Deprest J, Jani J, Gratacos E, Vandecruys H, Naulaers G, Delgado J, Greenough A, Nicolaides K; FETO Task Group. Fetal intervention for congenital diaphragmatic hernia: the European experience. Semin Perinatol. 2005 Apr;29(2):94-103. doi: 10.1053/j.semperi.2005.04.006.
• Deprest J, Jani J, Van Schoubroeck D, Cannie M, Gallot D, Dymarkowski S, Fryns JP, Naulaers G, Gratacos E, Nicolaides K. Current consequences of prenatal diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. J Pediatr Surg. 2006 Feb;41(2):423-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2005.11.036.
• Done E, Gucciardo L, Van Mieghem T, Jani J, Cannie M, Van Schoubroeck D, Devlieger R, Catte LD, Klaritsch P, Mayer S, Beck V, Debeer A, Gratacos E, Nicolaides K, Deprest J. Prenatal diagnosis, prediction of outcome and in utero therapy of isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Prenat Diagn. 2008 Jul;28(7):581-91. doi: 10.1002/pd.2033.
• Saura L, Castanon M, Prat J, Albert A, Caceres F, Moreno J, Gratacos E. Impact of fetal intervention on postnatal management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2007 Dec;17(6):404-7. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-989275.
• Deprest JA, Hyett JA, Flake AW, Nicolaides K, Gratacos E. Current controversies in prenatal diagnosis 4: Should fetal surgery be done in all cases of severe diaphragmatic hernia? Prenat Diagn. 2009 Jan;29(1):15-9. doi: 10.1002/pd.2108. No abstract available.
• Kohl T, Gembruch U, Tchatcheva K, Schaible T. Current consequences of prenatal diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia by Deprest et al (J Ped Surg 2006;41:423-30). J Pediatr Surg. 2006 Jul;41(7):1344-5; author reply 1345-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2006.04.001. No abstract available.
• Harrison MR, Adzick NS, Estes JM, Howell LJ. A prospective study of the outcome for fetuses with diaphragmatic hernia. JAMA. 1994 Feb 2;271(5):382-4.
• Belfort MA, Olutoye OO, Cass DL, Olutoye OA, Cassady CI, Mehollin-Ray AR, Shamshirsaz AA, Cruz SM, Lee TC, Mann DG, Espinoza J, Welty SE, Fernandes CJ, Ruano R. Feasibility and Outcomes of Fetoscopic Tracheal Occlusion for Severe Left Diaphragmatic Hernia. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Jan;129(1):20-29. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001749.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 21, 2012
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 11, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): April 11, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 13, 2009
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 14, 2009
• First Posted (Estimated): April 15, 2009

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 27, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 25, 2023
• Last Verified: October 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: congenital diaphragmatic hernia; Fetal Tracheal Occlusion; FETO plug-unplug; Goldvalve balloon; Severe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia; Goldbal balloon; FETO; Extremely Severe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Congenital Abnormalities; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Internal Hernia; Hernia; Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital; Hernia, Diaphragmatic
• Other Study ID Numbers: H-28021

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes