Amniotic Band Syndrome - Treatment Options

With Amniotic Banding no two cases are exactly alike so treatment depends on which body part the band was wrapped around and the severity of the abnormality it caused. Read through the stories on this site and it is clear that each case is unique. In Utero Surgery - has been performed to free limbs from amniotic bands that threaten to amputate limbs.   Results of the first surgeries of this type were published in the "Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology."  It is the first minimally invasive treatment to correct a non-lethal fetal condition.  Check out these links: Read Thomas's Story A report of the first fetal operation for ABS in 1997 The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment   Treating Syndactyly - Evan had two plastic surgeries to separate his webbed fingers. A great description of syndactyly and what surgery does can be found at HandWorld   Treatment of Congenital Amputation - War Amps Site Growing Hands -Distraction Augmentation Manoplasty - The technique pioneered by Dr.  Cowen "grows" up to one inch of bone per month to create palms and lengthen fingers. A strange looking contraption of steel rods, pins, and screws is inserted through the existing bone. Screws are turned at an even rate several times a day to achieve growth of up to one millimeter a day. Turning the screws takes up slack and the body responds to this stress by growing bone.  Botei. com - One of Dr. Cowen's patients - Josefa's history; a girl that was born with missing fingers and toes. Explains the long treatment to reconstruct the fingers of her hands.   Treating Cleft Palate - To learn more about cleft lip and palate repair, go to the Wide SmilesHomepage or the Friendly Faces Web site.   Treating Stabismus - Strabismus.org Treating Clubfoot -  The Clubfoot Club (our other site) A strong relationship between ABS and clubfoot exists. A 31.5% of associated clubfoot deformity and ABS can be correlated with 20% occurring bilaterally. Clubfeet are now treated non-surgically using the Ponsetti Method