An oral teratoma – a mouth tumor – was successfully removed from a fetus while still in the womb via operative fetoscopy, doctors from Jackson Memorial Hospital, Florida, reported in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. The medical team says this procedure is a “world first”.

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“When they finally severed the whole thing off and I could see it floating down, it was like this huge weight had been lifted off me and I could finally see her face.”



“Our case suggests that in utero fetoscopic management of fetuses with oral teratomas may be feasible in selected cases. In utero endoscopic assessment or treatment may allow parents to make a better educated decision about their management of the pregnancy.

If done early enough, as in our case, fetoscopic removal of the teratoma may avoid further growth of the mass, distortion of the facial structures, micrognathia, development of polyhydramnios, airway obstruction, the need for an EXIT or OOPS procedure, and the need for cesarean section delivery.”