Dr. Warrick and Obstetric Anesthesia Team Support Innovative Fetal Surgery Advancing Spina Bifida Care
A new, less-invasive fetal surgery approach at the Grant Scott Bonham Fetal Center at Primary Children’s Hospital is advancing care for families facing a prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida — and the University of Utah’s obstetric anesthesia team is playing a key role in supporting this highly specialized work.
Surgeons at the fetal center are now performing fetoscopic repair for spina bifida using three small uterine incisions rather than the larger incision required for traditional open fetal surgery. This innovative technique may reduce surgical risks for pregnant patients while preserving the neurologic benefits associated with fetal repair.
Fetal surgery demands exceptional anesthetic expertise. Maintaining maternal stability while simultaneously supporting fetal physiology requires careful coordination, advanced monitoring, and deep understanding of uteroplacental perfusion and fetal well-being.
Dr. Warrick, Director of Obstetric Anesthesia at University of Utah Health, leads a dedicated team of board-certified anesthesiologists and residents who provide 24/7 obstetric anesthesia services. The team supports approximately 5,000 deliveries annually and specializes in caring for high-risk pregnancies, including those complicated by cardiac disease, hypertensive disorders, bleeding conditions, placental abnormalities, and complex fetal diagnoses.
Recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology since 2019, University of Utah Hospital’s obstetric program is structured to provide coordinated, family-centered care. The labor and delivery unit includes three operating rooms — two directly connected to the neonatal intensive care unit — allowing immediate access to specialized newborn support when needed.
In addition to routine labor analgesia and cesarean delivery anesthesia, the obstetric anesthesia team plays an essential role in fetal interventions and non-obstetric procedures during pregnancy. This collaboration with maternal-fetal medicine, pediatric surgery, neonatology, and nursing teams ensures comprehensive support for both pregnant patients and their newborns before, during, and after delivery.
Spina bifida, a congenital condition in which the spinal column does not close completely during early development, can result in lifelong mobility and neurologic challenges. Research has demonstrated that fetal repair performed before birth can improve long-term outcomes compared to postnatal repair. The evolution toward less-invasive techniques represents an important step forward in balancing maternal safety with fetal benefit.
Through multidisciplinary collaboration and advanced obstetric anesthetic care, the team continues to support innovative treatments that improve outcomes for families across the region.