Sixth Workshop of the European Club for Fetal Surgery (ECFS)

Dear colleagues and friends

On behalf of the European Club for Fetal Surgery (ECFS), it is our pleasure to inform you that the registration for the sixth Workshop in Fetal Surgery is NOW OPEN!

The meeting will take place from Wednesday, January 7th to Friday, January 9th, 2026, again in the alpine beauty of the snow-white Upper Engadin, at the Hotel Waldhaus in Sils, Switzerland.

On Wednesday, registration will take place from 12:30 to 14:00, and the scientific meeting will start at 14:00. Therefore, you will have enough time to travel to Sils that day. The meeting will end at 13:00 on Friday. For those who are interested in sports activities, there is a long lunch break on Thursday. The scientific sessions are scheduled in the morning and late afternoon. The meeting will focus on various topics in the fields of fetal anesthesia, fetal surgery and fetal medicine. We encourage you to submit abstracts covering all these fields. Abstract submission deadline: October 31st, 2025.

If there are any questions, please contact us via ecfs@kispi.uzh.ch .

We are looking forward to welcoming you at this traditional meeting in a unique location!

On behalf of the organising committee,

sincerely,

Prof. Ueli Moehrlen, MD

Prof. Dr. Ueli Moehrlen, MD

Surgeon in Chief

Department of Pediatric Surgery

University Children’s Hospital Zurich

Prof. Dr. Nicole Ochsenbein, MD

Director

Department of Obstetrics

University Hospital Zurich

Dr. med. Lukas Kandler, MD

Senior attending physician

Department of Anesthesiology

University Hospital Zurich

PD Dr. med. Luca Mazzone, MD

Senior attending physician

Department of Pediatric Surgery

University Children’s Hospital Zurich

PD Dr. med. Ladina Vonzun, MD

Senior attending physician

Department of Obstetrics

University Hospital Zurich

12:30 - 14:00

Registration and Lunch Buffet

14:00 - 14:05

Welcome

Nicole Ochsenbein, Lukas Kandler, Ueli Moehrlen, Ladina Vonzun, Luca Mazzone

14:05 - 15:10

Session 1: Fetal Spina Bifida Repair: Prenatal Diagnosis and Counseling

Moderation: Edward Oliver, Ladina Vonzun

Abstract presentations:

Tricky cases US and MRI

Patrice Grehten & Ladina Vonzun, Switzerland (30’)

Brain 2D and 3D slice-to-volume MRI reconstruction in fetuses undergoing Spina bifida repair – implications for the etiology of hydrocephalus

Jan Deprest, Belgium (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Correlation of Spina bifida lesion characteristics on MRI, surgical complexity, hindbrain reversal and wound healing after fetal repair

Jan Deprest, Belgium (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Prenatal fetal bladder assessment – a five year outcome prediction

Flurina Famos, Switzerland (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Discussion

15:10 - 16:00

Session 2: Anesthesia and Fetal Monitoring during Fetal Surgery

Moderation: Max Thomasius, Lukas Kandler

Questionnaire

Abstract presentations:

Fetal cocktails

Lukas Kander, Switzerland (10’ + 5’ discussion)

Maternal sepsis

Sina Coldewey, Switzerland (10’ + 5’ discussion)

Fetal bradycardia – guideline project

Lukas Kandler, Switzerland (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Discussion Questionnaire

16:00 - 16:30

Break

16:30 - 17:30

Session 3: Fetal Surgery for Spina Bifida: Techniques and more

Moderation: Jan Deprest, Lukas Moser

Abstract presentations:

Microsurgical resection of an inclusion cyst for spinal cord detethering: Technical note

Gregory Heuer, USA (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Feasibility of fetoscopic skin closure of Spina bifida through 12 Fr cannula using a synthetic dermal patch

Jan Deprest, Belgium (5’ + 5’ discussion)

What happens in the aging amnion from midterm to term? A proteomic approach

Katharina Gegenschatz, Switzerland (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) in fetal repair

Mark Boudewijns, USA (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Bioengineered smart regenerative biomaterials for the healing of fetal membrane defects

Rodi Odabasi, Switzerland (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Discussion

17:30 - 18:00

Special talk: EXTENDED - an update

Alan Flake, USA

From 19:00

Evening event with dinner

07:00 - 08:30

Breakfast

08:30 - 09:35

Session 4: Outcome after Fetal Spina Bifida Repair

Moderation: Julia Wawrla-Zepf, Timothy Mueller

Abstract presentations:

Pain management EDA vs. PCA

Julia Wawrla-Zepf, Switzerland (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Spina bifida: Neonatal care in the past, presence and future

Beate Grass & Jehudith Fontijn, Switzerland (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Outcomes of prenatal Spina bifida repair at NHS England commissioned centers

Sofia Mastrodima-Polychroniu, UK (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Post MOMS era: A decade of single-center experience comparing fetal repair versus postnatal closure of myelomeningocele

Gregory Heuer, USA (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Neurocognitive outcomes in toddlers with myelomeningocele or myeloschisis: A comparison of fetal and postnatal surgical groups

Gregory Heuer, USA (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Mind the ventricle: Ventricle size and dynamics after fetal MMC / myeloschisis repair as predictors of neurocognitive outcome

Timothy Mueller, Switzerland (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Discussion

09:35 - 10:05

Break

10:05 - 11:00

Session 5: Cutting Old Ties in Fetal Surgery

Moderation: Ladina Vonzun, Luca Mazzone, Lukas Kandler

Questionnaire

Abstract presentations:

Uncovering the genetic landscape of spinal dysraphism: A retrospective analysis of 150 fetal cases

Ivonne Bedei, Germany (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Propanolol for chorioangiomas – let’s leave the interventional approach

Femke Slaghekke, Netherlands (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Digital training

Max Thomasius, Switzerland (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Discussion and Questionnaire

11:00 - 16:00

Lunch and free time for skiing

16:00 - 17:00

Session 6: Twins

Moderation: Nicole Ochsenbein, Femke Slaghekke

Abstract presentations:

Special case cojoint twins – the obstetricians and surgeons view

Holly Hedrick & Juliana Gebb, USA (20’ discussion)

Pregnancy characteristics and outcomes of monochorionic diamnionic twin pregnancies complicated by selective fetal growth restriction based on traditional versus Delphi

Juliana Gebb, USA (5’ + 5’ discussion)

A tricky case of monochorionic twins presenting with anemia in both twins

Claar Lap, Netherlands (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Special Talk: Robotics for TTTS

Ueli Moehrlen, Switzerland

Discussion

17:00 - 17:40

Session 7: Heart

Moderation: Holly Hedrick, Claar Lap

Abstract presentations:

Update on fetal cardiac interventions: Experience from the Children’s Heart Center Linz

Iris Scharnreitner, Austria (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Indomethacin therapy as a conservative approach to intrauterine circular shunting

Iris Scharnreitner, Austria (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Discussion

17:40 - 17:55

Break

17:55 - 19:15

Session 8: Fetal Shunts

Moderation: Luca Mazzone, Juliana Gebb

Questionnaire

Special Talk: LUTO

Brigitte Strizek, Germany

Abstract presentations:

Safety and efficacy of the new Vortex shunt in a fetal lamb model of lower urinary tract obstructions and pleural effusion: Toward clinical application

Enrico Danzer, USA (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Registry for eligibility and effectiveness of fetal shunt placement in congenital lower urinary tract obstructions – RESUME study

Federica Fontanella, UK (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Comparison of insertion difficulties and performance of thoracoamniotic shunts for fetal hydrothorax

Femke Slaghekke, Netherlands (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Discussion and Questionnaire

From 20:00

Dinner with Guest Lecture

Guest Lecture: The Applications of Science

Ross Fisher, UK

07:00 - 08:30

Breakfast

08:30 - 08:50

Business Meeting

09:00 - 09:30

Special Talk: Update TOTAL trial

Jan Deprest, Belgium

09:30 - 10:20

Session 9: Miscellaneous

Moderation: Patrice Grehten, Ivonne Bedei

Abstract presentations:

Fetal isolated binder phenotype versus chondrodysplasia punctata – Why does it matter?

Edward Oliver, USA (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Prenatal diagnosis of PIK3CA-overgrowth syndrome with consumptive coagulopathy

Edward Oliver, USA (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Validation of an instrument prototype for fetoscopic surgery of gastroschisis

Lidya-Olgu Durmaz, Germany (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Prenatal diagnosis of low conus in children that undergo laminectomy for tethered cord release

Juliana Gebb, USA (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Discussion

10:20 - 10:50

Break

10:50 - 11:30

Session 10: Future Outlooks

Moderation: Enrico Danzler, Ueli Moehrlen

Abstract presentations:

Could asparagus, umbrellas, spider venom, or plugs improve fetoscopic entry site sealing to prevent iPPROM?

Lukas Moser, Switzerland (5’ + 5’ discussion)

In utero gene editing

Bill Peranteau, USA (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Advancing longitudinal data abstraction for fetal center care through AI-augmented integration in the clinical outcomes data archive

Thomas Reynolds, USA (5’ + 5’ discussion)

Discussion

11:30 - 11:50

Special Closure Talk: Delivery Room of the Future

Natalie Rintoul, USA

12:00 - 13:00

Closing and Lunch Buffet

Sils im Engadin (red dot) is located in the Swiss canton of Graubuenden (area marked in gray), 10 km southwest of St. Moritz.

Airports

Zurich ZRH:
3 ½ hours by car, 4 hours by train.
Milano-Malpensa MXP, Milano-Linate LIN, Bergamo Orio BGY:
Train Milano-Tirano (EN - Trenitalia), then Tirano-St.Moritz (The SBB online portal for timetable, trains and public transport) or train Milano-Chiavenna change in Colico, then by Swiss postbus Chiavenna-Sils.

Arriving by train from Zurich, Switzerland

Throughout the day and until 8.30 pm: hourly train connections between Zurich main station and St. Moritz. Travel time 3 to 3 ½ hours.
Usually change trains in Chur (-> Albula) or in Landquart (-> Klosters/Vereina)
The Chur-St. Moritz Albula line of the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) is one of the most picturesque and interesting railroad lines in Europe. In 2008, UNESCO added the RhB's Albula and Bernina line to its World Heritage List.
If you let us know your arrival time in St. Moritz, our driver will be happy to pick you up there free of charge.
More information:
Rhaetian Railway RhB: Rhaetian Railway RhB: Railway experiences in Graubünden - book online - Rhaetian Railway RhB
Dining car: Gourmino dining car (rhb.ch)
SBB timetable: The SBB online portal for timetable, trains and public transport

Arriving by train from Milano, Italy

Milano – Tirano (EN - Trenitalia), then Tirano – St. Moritz (The SBB online portal for timetable, trains and public transport) or train Milano – Chiavenna with change in Colico, then by Swiss postbus Chiavenna – Sils.
If you let us know your arrival time in St. Moritz, our driver will be happy to pick you up there free of charge.

Arriving by car from Zurich, Switzerland

via Zurich – Chur – Julier Pass in 3 hours
alternative route to avoid the Julier Pass:
at Landquart, just before Chur, turn left in the direction of Klosters and the Vereina tunnel. Take the Vereina car transport there. After the tunnel it is 55 km to Sils. From Zurich approx. 3 ½ hours.

Arriving by car from Milano, Italy

Milano – Lecco – Chiavenna – Maloja Pass (Milan – Sils Maria approx. 2 ¾ hours).

TWIN OR DOUBLE ROOMS:
Room	Prices in CHF	Extra night in CHF from 9 Jan 2026
2A-Best 36-44m²	556.-	632.-
2B-Standard 27-31 m²	488.-	540.-
SINGLE ROOMS:
Room	Prices in CHF	Extra night in CHF from 9 Jan 2026
1A-Best 19-23 m²	309.-	340.-
1B-Standard 18-21 m²	258.-	286.-
1C-Small 14-16 m²	194.-	extension currently not possible in this category

The above special prices are per room / per night and include breakfast from the buffet, service, taxes, service charge and VAT.

Participants of the ECFS workshop can book rooms at these preferential rates from Monday, 9 January (on request and subject to availability). However, the prices for any extension nights from 9 January 2026 cannot be offered at the same preferential conditions.

FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN:
Children under 2 years:	free
Children from 2 up to and including 5 years:	CHF 30.-
Children from 6 up to and including 12 years:	CHF 55.-
Children from 13 years:	CHF 80.-

Rates for children in the parent’s room per night and child in Swiss francs, including breakfast buffet, all taxes and service charge. If you prefer a separate room for the children (with connecting door to the parents’ room), we charge CHF 225.- in addition to the above rates for children per night.

For room reservation please contact the Hotel Waldhaus directly and mention the ECFS workshop for the above mentioned special rates:

www.waldhaus-sils.ch

Email: mail@waldhaus-sils.ch

Phone: +41 81 838 51 00

Cancellation policy: