Abstract
The first internationally collaborating Centre of Foetal Medicine (CFM) in the Czech Republic was founded in 2012. It specialises in diagnostic procedures and treatment options of severe complications during foetal intrauterine development.
The programme of CFM focuses mainly on the problematic issues of multiple pregnancies (including the twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome of monochorionic twins, selective intrauterine growth restriction, anaemia-polycythaemia syndrome etc.) and the area of in-utero treatments for congenital disorders and malformations (e.g. congenital diaphragmatic hernia, neural tube defects). One of the inherent requirements of invasive foetal procedures in utero is the availability and cooperation of a multidisciplinary team, including the need for optimisation of super-specialized anaesthesiological approaches to both the mother and the foetus.
Anaesthesiological care is an integral part to foetal medicine, as it plays a crucial role within the multidisciplinary approach to the complex care of critically ill foetuses, and has a major impact on the possible outcome of in-utero treatments. We therefore aim to present to the reader an up-to-date overview of the possible approaches to anaesthesia and analgesia of the foetus during invasive in-utero treatments.