Creation of myelomeningocele in utero: A model of functional damage from spinal cord exposure in fetal sheep

Development of a Locomotor Rating Scale for Testing Motor Function in Sheep

“…The standard large animal model used for such research is the fetal lamb model of MMC, which has been extensively characterized and shown to exhibit histologic and neurologic deficits comparable to those seen in congenital MMC in humans [2,5,6,8]. Despite decades of research using this model, a means of consistent functional assessment is lacking.…”

“…A MMC defect was surgically created in fetal lambs as previously described [5,6]. In brief, each ewe underwent a survival laparotomy and hysterotomy at a gestational age of approximately 75 days.…”

Open fetal surgery for myelomeningocele

“…The basis for anticipating improved neurological function is that restoration of the dysplastic neural placode within the spinal canal isolates it from the amniotic fluid and prevents ongoing injury. 10,11 Mueli and colleagues [16][17][18] surgically created a spinal cord lesion in fetal sheep at 75 days of gestation that simulated a spina bifida lesion. After delivery at term, the gross and microscopic appearance of the exposed spinal cord resembled a human spina bifida lesion, and the animals were incontinent and had loss of sensation and motor function below the lesion level.…”

Fetal endoscopic myelomeningocele repair

“…Williams et al 2 have addressed such issues, performing comprehensive pre-operative neurocognitive assessments in 30 children with moyamoya. Greater impairments were found among patients with bilateral vasculopathy and bilateral stroke.…”