In utero release of constriction amniotic bands via blunt dissection.

Therapeutic techniques for in utero release of amniotic bands have relied on transecting instruments. We present an additional technique, blunt dissection, to release a constriction band in utero. The lower extremity that had detectable abnormalities during prenatal ultrasound had improved outcome after blunt in utero release of the amniotic band compared to the contralateral (control) leg. These findings support two conjectures: first, the degree of band adherence to the fetus is an important factor influencing the surgical approach to in utero lysis of the bands; second, that in utero release of constriction bands can result in improvement in outcome.