UC Davis Develops Teaching Model for Spina Bifida Fetal Surgery

The 3D-printed model allows pediatric surgeons to practice complex fetoscopic repair procedures before operating on patients.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 6:14am

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Researchers at UC Davis have developed a teaching model to train pediatric surgeons on fetoscopic repair of spina bifida, a congenital condition where spinal tissue fails to fuse properly in the womb. The model simulates a fetus suspended in amniotic fluid and features a raised area of skin to mimic the spina bifida defect, allowing surgeons to practice the delicate laparoscopic techniques required for this procedure.

Why it matters

Fetoscopic repair is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows the mother to have a vaginal delivery in the future, but it is one of the most technically complex pediatric surgeries. This teaching model provides a safe, reproducible environment for surgeons to train and refine their techniques, dramatically shortening the learning curve for this rare and specialized operation.

The details

The model was developed by a team of development engineers at UC Davis Tech Foundry and medical professionals at UC Davis Health. It features a 3D-printed, silicone-cast and laser-cut components that simulate a fetus in the uterus, including a raised area of skin to mimic the spina bifida defect. Surgeons can practice using laparoscopic instruments through small holes in the dome to perform the delicate repair procedure.

  • The teaching model was developed in 2026.

The players

Payam Saadai

An associate professor of surgery at UC Davis Health who had the initial idea for the training model.

Christopher Pivetti

A laboratory supervisor at UC Davis who worked on developing the model.

Elizabeth Reynolds

A surgical research resident at UC Davis who worked on developing the model.

Aijun Wang

A professor of biomedical engineering and surgery at UC Davis who oversees the lab where the model was developed.

Valerie Quiroz

A development engineer at UC Davis Tech Foundry who transformed the initial sketch into a working prototype.

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What they’re saying

“Fetal surgery, and fetoscopy for spina bifida in particular, is one of the more technically complex procedures in pediatric surgery, yet there are very few opportunities for surgeons to practice it.”

— Payam Saadai, Associate Professor of Surgery (Mirage News)

“The fetal operation requires technical precision and is only available at a few centers in the world, so the fetal model directly supports this work by creating a safe, reproducible environment where our team can train and refine these techniques, dramatically shortening the learning curve for such a complex operation.”

— Payam Saadai, Associate Professor of Surgery (Mirage News)

“By developing not just fetoscopic techniques but also the training infrastructure, which we have never had at UC Davis before, we position our health center as one that is advancing the next generation of both fetal therapy and surgical innovation.”

— Payam Saadai, Associate Professor of Surgery (Mirage News)

What’s next

The teaching model will be used to explore the next iteration of the CuRe Trial, a groundbreaking treatment using a stem cell patch to repair spina bifida tissue, by allowing surgeons to practice the minimally invasive fetoscopic approach.

The takeaway

This innovative teaching model developed at UC Davis will help advance the field of fetal surgery by providing a safe and realistic environment for pediatric surgeons to hone their skills on complex procedures like fetoscopic repair of spina bifida, ultimately improving patient outcomes.