FETO: How a Balloon in the Fetal Airway Grows the Lungs
Carousel1 min read·Published Oct 2026

FETO: How a Balloon in the Fetal Airway Grows the Lungs

Anatomical diagram showing FETO balloon placement in fetal airway with labeled structures including fetoscope and lungs.
Slide explaining balloon fill volume of 0.65-0.8 mL water based on tracheal size for pediatric procedure.
Instructional slide confirming endotracheal tube placement below vocal cords in main trachea.
Purple slide explaining balloon placement technique with careful monitoring below vocal cords in trachea.
1 / 5

Carousel · Oct 2026 · 1 min read

In brief

In brief

Educational overview of Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion (FETO), a prenatal intervention for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Explains how temporary balloon placement in the fetal trachea promotes lung growth before birth, improving outcomes in cases of pulmonary hypoplasia.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the carousel.

Slides

5 pages · click to turn to one

A clinical comparison chart displaying three treatment modalities in vertical columns with icons, percentage metrics, and outcome indicators. Each column uses distinct color coding and includes graphical representations of success rates, complication profiles, and patient ambulation data. The layout emphasizes quantitative comparisons through bar charts and numerical callouts.

Fetal surgery. A social-media carousel made possible by Cincinnati Children's.
The text in the image

Pediatric Achalasia: Surgical Approach Comparison | Heller Myotomy: 78% Success | Esophageal Dilatation: 45% Success | POEM (Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy): 99% Success | 742 Cases Reviewed | Complication Rates | Training Requirements | Ambulation Outcomes: 71-83% with Cell Lines A&B vs 20% Control | In Utero Myelomeningocele Repair | Human Placental Mesenchymal Stromal Cells | Neuroprotection Study | Ovine Model | Robotic vs Laparoscopic Surgery | Pediatric Surgical Techniques | Clinical Indications | Patient Selection Factors

The text on each slide
  1. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | FETO · BALLOON PLACEMENT | A BALLOON GOES INTO THE AIRWAY OF AN UNBORN BABY... TO MAKE ITS LUNGS GROW. | It holds less than 1 mL of water, and it has to land in exactly the right spot. Here's how. | fetoscope | larynx | trachea | detachable balloon | lungs
  2. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | THE TECHNIQUE | BACK THE SCOPE UP AS IT INFLATES. | You don't want to drive the balloon into one side of the trachea. Backing the scope up as it fills lets you watch it inflate in the main airway. | FETO video | Beth Rymeski, DO | Pediatric Surgeon, Cincinnati Children's
  3. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | THE FILL | 0.65 mL - 0.8 mL | of water — the exact volume set by the size of the trachea. | Then detach from the advancement and pull the scope back. The balloon sits in place. | Detail: a little metal ball inside the balloon marks it for later retrieval.
  4. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | THE CONFIRMATION | BELOW THE CORDS — YOU'RE IN. | Advance the scope one more time. If the inflated balloon sits below the vocal cords and you can see it there: | ✓ It's definitely in the main trachea.
  5. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | WHAT MAKES IT WORK | The balloon isn't placed until it's proven — it's watched every millimeter as it fills, and confirmed below the cords in the main trachea. | Full video — link in bio. | GC
Try
Intelligent Search· scoped to this carousel · not medical adviceSearch the whole library →