[The ethics of fetal myelomeningocele surgery]

Abstract

Fetal myelomeningocele surgery was introduced in France in 2014. Developments in prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects have accompanied the development of prenatal diagnosis. This fetal surgery represents one of the three possible care paths for pregnant women faced with this prenatal diagnosis. The ethical issues of this fetal surgery are discussed and in particular regarding prenatal counselling and patient autonomy of choice.

Keywords: Chirurgie fœtale; Ethics; Fetal surgery; Myelomeningocele; Myéloméningocèle; Spina bifida; Éthique.