Fetal Sacrococcygeal Teratoma: The Groundbreaking Case of Lynlee Hope Boemer and the Evolution of Open Fetal Surgery
Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is the most common congenital tumor in neonates, with an incidence of 1 in 20,000 to 40,000 live births . When diagnosed prenatally, particularly with a large, solid, and highly vascular tumor, the condition carries a significantly elevated mortality risk. This review examines the landmark case of Lynlee Hope Boemer, who at 23 weeks gestation underwent successful open fetal surgery for a life-threatening SCT. The case, led by Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye at Texas Children’s Hospital, highlights the indications, procedural challenges, and potential of this high-risk intervention.
The case of Lynlee Hope Boemer represents a pivotal moment in the history of fetal surgery. In 2016, a team at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston performed a procedure that captured the world's attention: they temporarily removed a 23-week-old fetus from the womb, resected a massive sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT), and successfully returned her to continue development until birth . This landmark case demonstrated the potential of open fetal surgery to treat otherwise fatal conditions and provided critical insights into the management of this rare and complex congenital tumor.
Clinical Background and Natural History of Sacrococcygeal Teratoma Sacrococcygeal teratoma is a germ…
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