The ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure: anesthetic considerations.

The ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure is an uncommon operation indicated for fetal lesions with the potential to cause life-threatening airway obstruction immediately after delivery. By maintaining utero-placental circulation, the fetal airway can be evaluated and secured prior to delivery. The anesthetic goals for the EXIT procedure differ significantly from a cesarean delivery and include profound uterine relaxation, fetal anesthesia and maintenance of the maternal-fetal circulation. We present a case of an uneventful EXIT procedure and include a discussion of the anesthetic goals for this operation.