New Fetal Surgery at Primary Children's Improves Spina Bifida Outcomes

Intermountain Health's less invasive procedure reduces risks for mothers and enhances long-term mobility for babies.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 6:07pm

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Doctors at Intermountain Health Primary Children's Hospital have developed a new, less invasive fetal surgery procedure to treat spina bifida while babies are still in the womb. The fetoscopic approach, which involves three small incisions, can reduce risks for mothers during their current and future pregnancies compared to the previous open fetal surgery method. The procedure has also been shown to improve long-term outcomes for children, including reducing the risk of brain complications and enhancing mobility.

Why it matters

Spina bifida is a serious congenital condition that can lead to lifelong challenges. This new fetal surgery technique offers hope to families by improving outcomes for babies and reducing risks for mothers, which could make the procedure more accessible to more patients.

The details

The new fetoscopic fetal surgery method involves three small incisions to access the uterus, rather than the larger incision required for the previous open fetal surgery. This can lower risks during the current pregnancy and allow for normal pregnancies in the future. Studies have shown the fetal repair can reduce the risk of brain complications by 60% and improve a child's long-term mobility compared to surgery after birth.

  • In 2011, a major national study (the MOMS trial) found fetal repair before birth had better long-term outcomes than surgery after birth.
  • Intermountain Health's Primary Children's Hospital has been performing the new fetoscopic fetal surgery procedure for nearly four years.
  • In 2025, the hospital's team performed 8 procedures and expects to do around 15 per year going forward.

The players

Dr. Stephen Fenton

A pediatric surgeon and director of the Grant Scott Bonham Fetal Center at Intermountain Health Primary Children's Hospital, who developed the new fetoscopic fetal surgery approach.

Madison Vance

A mother whose daughter JC was diagnosed with spina bifida during pregnancy and underwent the fetoscopic fetal surgery at 26 weeks.

Intermountain Health Primary Children's Hospital

A children's hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah that specializes in fetal surgery and has been performing the new less invasive procedure to treat spina bifida.

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What they’re saying

“The difference is now we approach the uterus using little incisions. And so the uterus remains relatively the same as any other uterus.”

— Dr. Stephen Fenton, Pediatric Surgeon and Director, Grant Scott Bonham Fetal Center (kslnewsradio.com)

“If you had it in utero, the risk would be decreased about 60%.”

— Dr. Stephen Fenton, Pediatric Surgeon and Director, Grant Scott Bonham Fetal Center (kslnewsradio.com)

“Whatever they're feeling is OK. If they're scared if they're sad, if they're mourning a loss of a normal pregnancy … it's OK and all of your feelings are valid.”

— Madison Vance (kslnewsradio.com)

What’s next

Intermountain Health's Primary Children's Hospital plans to continue expanding its fetal surgery program, with the goal of performing around 15 of the new fetoscopic procedures per year to treat spina bifida.

The takeaway

This innovative fetal surgery approach at Intermountain Health's Primary Children's Hospital offers hope to families dealing with spina bifida by improving long-term outcomes for babies and reducing risks for mothers. The less invasive procedure represents an important advancement in prenatal care that could make this life-changing treatment more accessible.