Fetal surgery is needed to treat a range of serious fetal conditions and birth defects that threaten the fetus's life or can cause significant disability if left untreated until after birth. It is performed to save the life of the fetus or to improve long-term health outcomes by intervening while the baby is still developing in the womb. Common reasons for fetal surgery include:

• Repairing spina bifida, a spinal cord defect that can cause paralysis and other disabilities.
• Correcting congenital diaphragmatic hernia, where the diaphragm does not develop properly, affecting lung growth.
• Treating large lung masses such as congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM).
• Removing tumors like sacrococcygeal teratoma.
• Treating conditions causing airway obstruction or bladder outlet obstruction.
• Managing twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and related complications.
• Treating fetal anemia.

Fetal surgery is complex and requires specialized expertise and advanced imaging. It aims to correct malformations or obstructions before birth to improve survival chances and health outcomes after delivery.