"Desperate Measures": Science Looks Back at 25 Years of Fetal Surgery

The current issue of Science (August 18, 2006; vol. 313, no. 5789) features a "News Focus" on fetal surgery. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first fetal surgery, performed in 1981 at the University of California, San Francisco by pediatric surgeon Michael R. Harrison, MD, and his colleagues. They operated to repair a urinary obstruction that otherwise would have triggered kidney and lung failure after birth. The fetal surgery was a success, resulting in the birth of a boy, who recently turned 25. In the article, Science explores the history of fetal surgery as well as recent advances in the field, and interviews doctors and ethicists who "are trying to learn whether and when the drastic procedures work - and whether they're worth the frightening risks." Harrison is professor of surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, and director of the Fetal Treatment Center at UCSF. Mitchell Golbus, MD, an obstetrician and geneticist now retired from UCSF, and Russell Jennings, MD, who was a fellow with Harrison at UCSF in 1981, are quoted in the article.

"Medicine: Desperate Measures" Science 2006;313(5789):904-907 Michael A. Steinman, MD; Lisa A. Bero, PhD; Mary Margaret Chren, MD; and C. Seth Landefeld, MD Annals of Internal Medicine 2006 145(4):284-293 Abstract | Full Text | Full Text (PDF)

Links: "Pelosi Celebrates Opening of New Fetal Treatment Center"
UCSF Today, March 29, 2006 "Father of Fetal Surgery Looks Ahead"
iTunes | MP3 download
UCSF Today, March 28, 2006 "Pelosi Gains $500,000 for UCSF Fetal Treatment Center"
UCSF News Release, December 9, 2004 "Fetal Surgeon Opens Mini-Med Series with Breathtaking Moments"
UCSF Today, March 25, 2004 UCSF Fetal Treatment Center