Fetoscopic release of umbilical cord amniotic band in a human fetus.

Umbilical cord amniotic bands occur in approximately 10% of cases of amniotic band syndrome and are a well-known cause of fetal death. An unexpected amniotic band encircling the umbilical cord was diagnosed during a fetoscopic procedure to release a leg constriction. Both bands were released fetoscopically using a YAG laser. We report the first case of an amniotic band involving the umbilical cord diagnosed and released prenatally.