Patch may boost fetal spina bifida repair, early trial hints
NCT ID NCT03794011
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests two minimally invasive fetal surgery techniques for repairing neural tube defects (spina bifida) in the womb. One method uses a Durepair patch to reinforce the repair, while the other does not. Researchers aim to see if the patch leads to a thicker repair and fewer complications like spinal fluid leaks. The trial involves 38 pregnant women and is still active but not recruiting.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Durepair patch (a collagen-based patch used during fetal surgery)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a safer, more effective fetal surgery for spina bifida, reducing complications like spinal fluid leaks and improving outcomes for babies.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial (phase 1) with only 38 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The surgery itself carries risks for both mother and fetus, and the patch may not provide the expected benefits.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Stanford University: Lucille Packard's Children's Hospital
Stanford, California, 94305, United States
-
Texas Childrens Hospital
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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