UTO is defined as a partial or complete obstruction of any part of the urinary tract. The presence of a UTO in a fetus can result in death unless treated properly. The anatomy of a urinary tract consists of two kidneys, two ureters, the bladder and a urethra. If the urinary tract is obstructed, the flow of urine can slow down or completely stop, causing interference in the development of the kidneys and lungs.

Ruben Quintero, M.D., a fetal surgeon from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Fla., developed a new tool to treat the condition. He inserts a thin shunt inside the fetus, which allows for the urine to pass. The shunt stays in the fetus until birth to keep the urinary tract clear and then is removed a few days after birth. Before Dr. Quintero’s development, the shunts used in similar surgeries failed to work up to 40 percent of the time.