Foetal pain and anaesthesia during prenatal surgery

Objectives: Foetal surgery is a relatively new branch of medicine; the health providers involved are currently wondering what kind anaesthesia should be provided to foetuses. In last few years, advances have been reported on foetal sensoriality and capability for feeling pain; meanwhile alerts issued risks prolonged in early infancy. Aim this paper reviewing main data pain, aware which time pregnancy when it likely felt. The secondary aim point out anaesthetics analgesics appropriate prenatal surgery. Mechanism: A review literature published 20 years field fetal sergery has carried out; most pertinent papers retrieved, their conclusions here summarized analysed. Findings brief: Pain can felt by human fetus second half pregnancy: physiological behavioural studies show with increasing evidence, as long gestational age increases. With regard best case, seems that mere given mother, though apparently sufficient during laparoscopic surgery, not anesthetize foetus open surgery; some references safest direct analgesic treatment. Conclusions: Surgeons approach carefully according latest findings field.