Bioengineering as viable alternative to open fetal repair for spina bifida, research proves

Researchers have discovered a promising alternative to open fetal surgery for spina bifida repair. The team has developed an alternative approach to current in utero treatment for spina bifida: a minimally-invasive repair using a bioengineered material -- a reverse thermal gel (RTG) -- to cover the neural tube defects (NTD) at an earlier gestational age than traditional treatment.