Fifteen Eighty Four

Have you ever wondered how some babies develop congenital anomalies? Or more so, how some of these anomalies are repaired during pregnancy? How does that happen- particularly with the pregnancy continuing after surgery, until the baby is delivered near term? The congenital anomalies that can occur as the baby develops within the womb are limitless. Fortunately, methods of monitoring the baby as it grows during pregnancy and identifying anomalies have consistently improved over the years. Not all anomalies are identified during pregnancy but of those that are, corrective intervention or surgery is possible in some cases.

The desire to publish this book, Anesthesia for Maternal-Fetal Surgery: Clinical Concepts and Practice, was borne from fielding varied questions from anesthesiologists and other specialists who were looking to initiate programs to care for the mother-fetus dyad in their own institutions. For some, the concept was completely novel and daunting while for others, they just needed clarity on processes.  Having been an integral part of the establishment of the program at my own institution and being a past co-president of the International Fetal Medicine & Surgery Society, it seemed prudent to invite authors from other fetal programs who have served in the formative roles of this field in their own institutions to contribute to this book. This reservoir of vast information will answer almost any question one may have about maternal-fetal surgery. Several authors involved in different aspects of the field of maternal-fetal surgery and anesthesia have come together from different institutions to compile various nuggets that comprise this must-read book; a valuable toolbox for any specialist interested in an overview of the field of maternal-fetal surgery and the specific anesthetic considerations!

Clinicians who currently care for patients undergoing maternal-fetal interventions or who are interested in embarking on this would all benefit from this book. This 13-chapter book explains the basic physiology of the mother and fetus during pregnancy, describes how some congenital anomalies develop, and details the in-utero interventions required for correction as well as the anesthetic considerations specific for each surgical procedure.