Guidance

1 Guidance

1 Guidance

1.1 Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of percutaneous laser therapy for fetal tumours does not appear adequate for this procedure to be used without special arrangements for consent and for audit or research.

1.2 Clinicians wishing to undertake percutaneous laser therapy for fetal tumours should take the following actions.

  • Inform the clinical governance leads in their Trusts.

  • Ensure that parents understand the uncertainty about the procedure's safety and efficacy. Clinicians should provide parents with clear written information and counselling support, both before and after the procedure. In addition, use of the NICE's information for the public is recommended.

  • Audit and review clinical outcomes of all patients undergoing percutaneous laser therapy for fetal tumours.

1.3 This procedure should only be performed in centres specialising in invasive fetal medicine and in the context of a multidisciplinary team that includes a consultant in fetal medicine, a midwife, a neonatologist and a paediatric surgeon.

1.4 Data on all procedures should be entered onto the European Commission registry, which is endorsed by the British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society.

1.5 Publication of safety and efficacy outcomes will be useful. NICE may review the procedure on publication of further evidence.