About Us
Baylor College of Medicine, through its Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, has developed a unique educational program designed to enhance the training and expertise of both Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) and Pediatric Surgery-trained physicians in the diagnosis and management of fetuses and neonates with specific conditions and congenital malformations.
The Perinatal Surgery Fellowship is a two-year program, which trains pediatric surgeons and obstetricians with expertise in maternal-fetal medicine to care for fetal patients with complex diseases such as twin-twin-transfusion syndrome (TTTS), amniotic band syndrome, twin-reversed-arterial-perfusion sequence (TRAP), lung masses, diaphragmatic hernia, urinary tract obstruction, abdominal wall malformations, neural tube defects, congenital tumors, neck masses, congenital cardiac abnormalities and tongue and mouth tumors.
Fellows completing this program gain enhanced understanding of all aspects of fetal care and therapy, including fetal diagnosis (ultrasound, echocardiography, MRI, genetics), perinatal management and surgical techniques (open and minimally invasive techniques).
Training will include the indications, surgical principles and techniques involved in fetoscopy, open fetal surgery and the EXIT procedure. In addition, fellows are exposed to the principles and techniques of maternal-fetal anesthesia, considerations of the effect of anesthesia on the fetus and neonate, ethical considerations for fetal intervention, and components of a long-term neuro-developmental follow-up program.
Pediatric surgeons accepted into this fellowship will be educated in the obstetric aspects of fetal care including comprehensive ultrasound assessment and MRI evaluation of the fetus, placenta and uterus, fetal heart rate monitoring, antepartum fetal biophysical monitoring and evaluation, and surgical procedures currently performed by MFM physicians such as intrauterine blood transfusion, laser ablation of placental blood vessels, radiofrequency ablation of abnormal tissue, bladder and chest shunt procedures, fetal cystoscopy, posterior urethral valve and ureterocele surgery, chorionic villus sampling, and amniocentesis
Obstetricians trained in Maternal Fetal Medicine who are accepted into this program will be exposed to neonatal surgery and post-operative care pertinent to the pathology that is managed by MFM’s during fetal life including gastroschisis, congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair, bowel resection, colostomy creation, and care of the surgical neonate.
Admissions
Requirements:
Training in either maternal-fetal medicine or pediatric surgery is required prior to applying for the perinatal surgery fellowship.
Interested candidates should provide a copy of their CV, personal statement and letters of recommendation (2-3).
Timing to apply:
- All interested candidates should submit the necessary documents from January to June of their second-year MFM fellowship or first-year pediatric surgery fellowship.
- Interviews will be held between July to August of that year.
- Accepted candidates will be announced in September of the third-year MFM fellowship or second-year pediatric surgery fellowship.
- The fellowship will start Aug. 1.
Important dates for 2027:
- Applications review: Jan. 1 - June 30, 2026
- Interviews: July 1 - Aug. 31, 2026
- Announcement of acceptance: September 2026
- Start date: Aug. 1, 2027
Please contact Dr. Roopali Donepudi or Melissa Jones for questions.
Curriculum
- Evaluation of complex fetal anomalies by ultrasound and MRI.
- Laser ablation of placental anastomoses in the treatment of twin-twin transfusion syndrome, selective intrauterine growth restriction, vasa previa and placental chorioangioma.
- Laparoscopic approach to the uterus for the purpose of fetoscopic surgery and maternal-fetal surgery.
- Ultrasound-guided shunt placement in the fetal thorax or bladder.
- Intrauterine fetal blood transfusion for fetal anemia.
- Ultrasound guided amnioreduction, vesicocentesis and thoracocentesis.
- Radiofrequency ablation and bipolar cord coagulation for treatment in complex monochorionic multiple gestations.
- Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment procedure (EXIT) to perform various interventions to stabilize the fetus during transition to neonatal life.
- Hysterotomy for providing access to a fetus for open fetal surgery in an ongoing pregnancy.
- Preoperative and postoperative management of patients undergoing fetal surgical procedures.
- Fetal Endotracheal Occlusion (FETO) procedure for congenital diaphragmatic hernia management.
- Minimally invasive fetal interventions in the management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia and neural tube defects.
- Open and minimally invasive treatment of neural tube defects.
- Fetal interventions in for conditions approved by the institutional review board and FDA oversight.
- Neonatal management of gastroschisis, omphalocele, esophageal atresia, CDH, NTD, lung masses, sacrococcygeal teratoma and neck masses.
- Maternal-fetal anesthesia ethical considerations in the management of the fetus as a patient.
List of Electives
- Pediatric/fetal echo
- Pediatric surgery
- Fetal MRI
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
- Pediatric neurosurgery
Rotation Schedules
- Clinical – 12 months
- Research – 9 months
- Electives – 3 months
Affiliations with leading research and healthcare institutions in and around the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest healthcare complex, provide access to an exceptionally diverse array of people and resources. Discover how our affiliations enhance our education programs.
TCH Fetal Center
The Texas Children's Fetal Center is led by physicians in the field of fetal medicine and fetal and neonatal surgery who aim to provide women and babies the highest quality health care available.