Pam Choi and Dr. Beth Romesky

A CPAM is essentially just an abnormally developed lung, which doesn't really participate in gas exchange.

During an EXIT procedure, the baby remains attached to mom through the umbilical cord while a thoracotomy and resection are performed, with the time available depending on how well mom tolerates it and uterine relaxation, typically ranging from a few minutes to rarely longer than an hour.

A thoracoamniotic shunt is placed so that half is inside the fetal chest and half is in the amniotic space, allowing egress of fluid from the fetal chest into the amniotic space for continued decompression throughout pregnancy.

Air trapping can occur where air enters the CPAM area as the infant breathes in but doesn't come out as easily, causing progressive hyperinflation of the non-functioning lobe and rapid progressive respiratory distress.

Mirror syndrome means the mother is showing evidence of what the baby has going on, with the mother developing significant edema, pleural effusion, and other symptoms very quickly.

Fetal resection involves partially delivering the fetus, performing a thoracotomy, removing part of the lung, and placing the fetus back in the uterus to continue the pregnancy.