From
Dr. Nelson G. Rosen
Fetoscopic Tracheal Occlusion for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Procedural Walkthrough
With Dr. Beth Rymeski · hosted by Dr. Jill Knepprath
Chapter 1 of 5
FETO overview
Introduction to FETO Procedure and Mechanism
Expert statements on this page
No expert statements were drawn from this page.
Host summaries · secondary, not cited in answers
Educational content from recorded physician discussions — not medical advice. Talk to your (or your child's) care team about your situation.
Podcast
Fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion for congenital diaphragmatic hernia
4 min · Published Nov 2026
Video
Kasra Khalaj, MSc, PhD - Best of the Best in Pediatric Surgery 2024
Dr. Todd Ponsky · 7 min · Published Feb 2024
Video
EUPSA - MicroRNAs in amniotic fluid stem cellextracellular vesicles modulate lung development in experimental congenital diaphragmatic hernia - Kasra Khalaj
10 min · Published May 2022
Video
CAPS - Administration of amniotic fluid stem cell extracellular vesicles regenerates the lung epithelium in fetal rats with CDH at translationally relevant developmental stages - Kasra Khalaj
7 min · Published May 2022
Video
What is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)? An ERNICA animation for parents and families
3 min · Published Dec 2023
Video
BOB Winner Presentation - Dr. Rebeca Figueira - EUPSA
Published Feb 2023
Video
FETO for Late-Diagnosed Severe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) at Cincinnati Children's with Dr. Beth Rymeski
4 min · Published Sep 2026
Video
Severe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Case: FETO Management & Unexpected Findings with Dr. Beth Rymeski
3 min · Published Sep 2026
Video
Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion (FETO) Procedure: Step-by-Step Guide with Dr. Beth Rymeski
4 min · Published Sep 2026
Video
Inside a FETO Procedure: Fetoscopic Balloon Tracheal Occlusion with Dr. Beth Rymeski
4 min · Published Jul 2026
Video
Update Course 2022 - UPDATES IN GASTROSCHISIS FEEDING PROTOCOLS - Jason Fraser, Beth Rymeski, and Steven Lee
21 min · Published Sep 2022
Podcast
Update Course Rewind: 2020 Colorectal Part 2
11 min · Published Mar 2021
Podcast
Hirschsprung Dilations, Gastroschisis Management, and CDH Volume Outcomes
4 min · Published Nov 2026
Podcast
Pediatric Surgery Literature Updates: Lymphatic Malformations, G-Tube Complications, and Cryptorchidism Timing
4 min · Published Nov 2026
Podcast
Colorectal Quiz Episode 50: Key Takeaways from the 16th European Pediatric Colorectal Conference
24 min · Published Nov 2026
Podcast
Vertebral body tethering for pediatric scoliosis: patient selection and surgical technique
5 min · Published Nov 2026
Podcast
Botox injection during Hirschsprung pull-through: evidence and technique considerations
1 min · Published Nov 2026
Podcast
Nerve monitoring and risk stratification in pediatric thyroid surgery
6 min · Published Nov 2026
What the experts said
FETO is a percutaneous intervention performed on the mother using one trocar placed through the maternal abdominal wall into the uterus.
A standard fetoscope with a side channel is used, and the balloon is worked through the side channel.
The tongue is an easy landmark to identify during FETO because it is bumpy in appearance.
Fluid is hooked up to the scope and can be intermittently turned on and off to push tissue away from the scope to allow easier advancement.
If the baby's head is not perfectly aligned with the scope, twisting and turning of the scope is required to navigate through the mouth.
The epiglottis is a key landmark to identify when navigating to the trachea.
Excessive torquing of the scope should be avoided because it can cause membrane damage, as the scope passes through the abdominal wall and uterine wall.
The scope should always be advanced until the carina is visualized, which confirms tracheal position and indicates location within the trachea.
The balloon should not be driven into one side of the trachea; it must inflate in the main trachea.
The scope is backed up during balloon inflation to allow visualization of the balloon as it inflates.
The balloon contains a small metal ball that is visible on imaging.
The goal of FETO is to trap fluid in the lungs to allow the lungs to expand and grow.
FETO helps prevent pulmonary hypoplasia, which is a big factor in poor outcomes for CDH babies.
The balloon is filled with water, typically 0.65 to 0.8 mL, depending on the size of the trachea.
After balloon deployment, the vocal cords are visualized and the scope is advanced one more time to confirm the balloon is positioned below the cords.