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1st International Symposium on Fetal Therapy and Surgery

From Training to Frontiers of Innovation

Abstract submissions until August 31st fetalplanet@gmail.com
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The Entity received financial assistance in 2026 from the Provincial Council of Cáceres in the amount of €15,000, intended for the 1st International Symposium on Fetal Therapy and Surgery.

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Description

 

I International Symposium on Fetal Therapy and Surgery
“From Training to Frontiers of Innovation” (Fetal Planet)
October 22–23, 2026 | Cáceres, Spain

 

The future of fetal medicine is being written now—and you are invited to witness it firsthand. The I International Symposium on Fetal Therapy and Surgery brings together the world’s most visionary pioneers, innovators, and practitioners to explore the cutting edge of prenatal intervention, from the operating room to the frontiers of artificial intelligence, gene therapy, and precision medicine. Hosted at the renowned Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Center in the historic city of Cáceres, Spain, this landmark event brings together groundbreaking science and clinical excellence.

 

Why You Cannot Miss This Event:

This is not just another conference—it is a rare convergence of legends and leaders. Professor Michael R. Harrison, the father of fetal surgery from UCSF, San Francisco, will share five decades of transformative advances that have redefined what is possible before birth. Professor Kypros Nicolaides from King’s College London will present 25 years of pioneering work in fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO), a technique that has saved countless lives. Under the visionary direction of Dr. Jose L. Peiro (NYU Langone Health) and Dr. Francisco M. Sanchez-Margallo (CCMIJU), and in collaboration with elite institutions including King’s College London, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and UNICAMP Brazil, this symposium promises to deliver insights that will shape the next generation of fetal care.

 

What Awaits You:

Over two intensive days, eight meticulously curated scientific blocks will take you from the fundamentals of fetal surgery training to the most audacious innovations on the horizon. Explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing prenatal diagnosis, enabling earlier detection and smarter decision-making. Delve into the promise of gene and cell therapy before birth, where interventions at the molecular level could prevent disease before a child takes their first breath. Discover strategies for preserving the amniotic environment, the delicate ecosystem that nurtures fetal development. Examine new indications for fetal surgery that are expanding the boundaries of what can be treated in utero. Engage with the latest evidence and techniques beyond the landmark MOMS trial for spina bifida repair, and learn how precision therapy for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is tailoring interventions to individual patients. Finally, master the complexities of monochorionic twin management, where every decision can mean the difference between life and loss.

 

Objectives:

This symposium is designed to inspire, educate, and empower. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future trajectory of fetal therapy and surgery. You will learn from the pioneers who invented these techniques and the innovators who are pushing them forward. You will leave equipped with practical knowledge, cutting-edge insights, and a network of colleagues who share your passion for transforming prenatal care. Whether you are a trainee eager to enter this field, a seasoned practitioner seeking the latest advances, or a researcher exploring new frontiers, this event will elevate your expertise and ignite your ambition.

 

Join the Global Community:

Fetal Planet is more than a symposium—it is a movement. By attending, you become part of an international community dedicated to giving every child the best possible start in life. You will connect with experts from across continents, exchange ideas with peers who are tackling the same challenges, and contribute to a dialogue that transcends borders and disciplines.

 

Practical Information:

Registration is accessible and straightforward: €200 for general attendees and €150 for trainees. If you are conducting innovative research, we invite you to submit an abstract by August 31, 2026, and share your work with the world’s leading fetal medicine specialists. For questions or further details, contact us at Fetalplanet@gmail.com.

 

This is Your Moment:

The field of fetal therapy is at an inflection point. The techniques pioneered decades ago are maturing into standard practice, while entirely new modalities—gene editing, AI-driven diagnostics, precision interventions—are emerging from the laboratory into clinical reality. The decisions made and the knowledge shared at this symposium will influence the care of unborn patients for years to come. Do not stand on the sidelines of history. Be there. Be inspired. Be part of the future.

 

Mark your calendar. Book your travel. Join us in Cáceres this October. The future of fetal medicine begins here.

I International Symposium on Fetal Therapy & Surgery

CCMIJU  ·  Cáceres, Spain

I International Symposium on Fetal Therapy & Surgery

From Training to Frontiers of Innovation

Day 1
 Thursday, October 22nd
Opening · Blocks 1–4 · Dinner

8:30 AM  ·  Opening

Opening Address and Inauguration

Moderator  Jose L. Peiro, MD, PhD

Jose L. Peiro, MD, PhD.Director NYULH Advanced Fetal Care Center, New York, USA.
Francisco M. Sánchez Margallo, DMV, PhD.Scientific director at CCMIJU, Caceres, Spain.
Jason C. Fisher, MD.Director of surgical services at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital - NYU Langone, New York, USA.
José Manuel Benítez Medina.Secretary General for Science, Technology and Innovation. Regional Government of Extremadura.
Rafael A. Mateos Pizarro.Mayor of Caceres. Cáceres, Spain.
Miguel Angel MoralesPresident of Caceres Provincial Council. Caceres. Spain.
9 AM – 10:30 AM  ·  Block 1

Becoming a Fetal Surgeon

Education, Training and Building a Fetal Therapy Program

Moderator  Maria A. Barrial, MD

How I became a Fetal Surgeon: personal journeys from leading centers / Training pathways worldwide.

Jose L. Peiro, MD, PhDEducating /mentoring worldwide in fetal surgery – Crafting next generation of fetal surgeons.
Maria A. Barrial, MDA new frontier. Bridging surgery expertise and MFM mastery.
Laura Pires, DMVBeyond the simulation. Raw reality of live tissue in animal models to optimize skills.
Juan Sanchez Margallo, Eng, PhDThe preclinical edge. Where engineers meet the living tissue.
Daniel Russo, MD● OnlineBuilding a Fetal Therapy Program: Team, infrastructure and sustainability.
Enrique Gil-Guevara, MDHow to become a fetal surgeon in LATAM from the MFM perspective.
Rogelio Cruz, MDStructured formative courses for fetal therapy.
Q & A
10:30 AM
COFFEE BREAK

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM  ·  Block 2

Artificial Intelligence in Prenatal Diagnosis & Therapy

From Imaging to Decision-Making

Moderator  Martin Chavez, MD

Todd Ponsky, MD● OnlineImpact of AI on health.
Martin Chavez, MDAI in maternal-fetal ultrasounds. Smarter workflows and better outcomes.
Sarah Fejza - DiagnolyAI in prenatal ultrasounds is a now a reality.
Amine Bouachba, MDAI on fetal MRI volumetry and fetal weight prediction.
Francisco Sanchez Margallo, DMV, PhDAI in surgical planning and simulation.
Yves Ville, MDUse and misuse of AI.
Q & A
12:30 PM  ·  Keynote

Keynote Address (virtual) — Innovating for Life

Half century of advances in fetal surgery by discovery.

Moderator  Gabriella Grisotti, MD

Prof. Michael R. Harrison● OnlineSan Francisco, USA.
13:00 PM – 2:00 PM
LUNCH

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM  ·  Block 3

Gene and Cell Therapy in the Fetal Era

Treating Disease Before Birth

Moderator  Augusto Zani, MD, PhD

Aimen Shaaban, MD● OnlineIn-utero cell transplant innovations.
Elizabeth Enninga, PhD● OnlineMaternal-fetal immunotolerance in fetal surgery.
Tippi McKenzie, MD● OnlineHuman trials in prenatal gene/ cell therapy for congenital lysosomal diseases.
Augusto Zani, MD, PhDExosomes for fetal therapy.
Marta Gazzaneo, MD, PhDNeural organoids from AF of spina bifida patients.
Paolo de Coppi, MD, PhDCell therapy and tissue engineering for surgical congenital malformations.
Q & A
3:30 PM
COFFEE BREAK

4 PM – 5:30 PM  ·  Block 4

Preserving the Amniotic Environment

Preventing Prematurity after Fetal Surgery

Moderator  Braxton Forde, MD

Braxton Forde, MDPerclose to close the amniotic membranes in fetoscopy.
Talita Micheletti, MDA new bioadhesive patch amniotic membranes’ sealing system.
Yannick Devaud, Eng, PhDAmnioSnare percutaneous stitcher for amniotic membranes in fetoscopy.
Selena Shirkin, PhD● OnlineAuto expandable uterine trocars for fetoscopy.
Braxton Forde, MDAmnioWell, a synthetic amniotic fluid to preserve amniotic membranes.
Elisenda Eixart, MD, PhDArtificial placenta for survival in extreme premature babies.
Myrthe van der Ven, MD, PhDArtificial womb.
Q & A
Evening
DINNER — All Together

Day 2
 Friday, October 23rd
Blocks 5–8 · Keynote · Closing

9 AM – 11:15 AM  ·  Block 5

New techniques and Emerging Indications in Fetal Surgery

Expanding the Boundaries

Moderator  Florencia Varela, MD

Fernando Ferrer, MD, PhD / Jose L. Peiro, MD, PhDFetal biosafety profile of prenatal Botox in sheep model.
Jezid Miranda, MDTechnical details of human fetal abdominal intramuscular Botox injections.
Cristobal Abello, MDPrenatal Botox for giant omphalocele.
Miguel Parra, MDTwo steps’ prenatal surgery for gastroschisis.
M. Florencia Varela, MDMaternal Furosemide for fetal gastroschisis.
Renato Ximenes, MDFetoscopic repair of encephalocele.
Jose L. Peiro, MD, PhDPrenatal ETV for fetal hydrocephalus – Preclinical studies.
Fabio Peralta, MD● OnlinePrenatal ETV for fetal hydrocephalus – First in human.
Marcio L. Miranda, MDFetoscopic vesicostomy for low urinary obstruction.
Rodrigo Ruano, MDFetal cystoscopy for LUTO.
Rogelio Cruz, MDFETI and flexible fetoscopy.
Ramiro Diaz, MDEmbryoscopy.
Nicolas Vinit, MDPrenatal esophageal lengthening in fetal lambs.
Q & A
11:15 AM
COFFEE BREAK

11:45 AM – 13:00 PM  ·  Block 6

The Latest in Twin Fetal Therapy

Advanced Management of Monochorionic Twins

Moderator  Fernando Ferrer, MD, PhD

Ives Ville, MDMonochorionic twins in the last 30 years.
Rogelio Cruz, MDNew educative tools for Selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation training.
Martin Chavez, MDAI simulators for fetoscopic Laser surgery training.
Elisenda Eixarch, MDRobotics for fetoscopic Laser surgery.
Martin Chavez, MDMicrowaves for TRAP.
Q & A
13 PM  ·  Keynote

Keynote Lecture (virtual) — Reflections after 25 years of FETO

Moderators  Jesús Rodriguez, MD; Enrique Gil-Guevara, MD; and María A. Barrial, MD

Prof. Kypros Nicolaides● OnlineLondon, UK.
13:30 PM – 2:30 PM LUNCH

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM  ·  Block 7

The Latest in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)

Precision Fetal Therapy

Moderator  Jose L. Encinas, MD, PhD

Lucas Moratilla, MD / JL Encinas, MDPrenatal prediction of delayed abdominal closure in CDH.
María J. Vergara, MDPallister-Killian syndrome and CDH.
Fernando Ferrer, MD, PhDPrenatal MRI BOLD – for fetal CDH risk’s stratification.
Emrah Aydin, MD, PhDPulmonary vascular branching in CDH.
Fernando Vuletin, MDFETO Balloon in GI track.
Alexandra Benachi, MD● OnlineMagnetic Smart FETO balloon.
Marcio L. Miranda, MDRescuing the long-tail balloon for FETO.
Maria A. Barrial, MDNon-responders to FETO.
Augusto Zani, MD, PhDAntenatal neuroprotection for the CDH fetal brain.
Marianna Scuglia, MDAF-exosomes to enhance FETO in fetal lambs.
Q & A
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM  ·  Block 8

The Latest in Prenatal Spina Bifida

Beyond the MOMS Trial

Moderator  Ueli Mohrlen, MD

Ueli Mohrlen, MDNavigating out of the MOMS’ criteria.
Aimen Shaaban, MD● OnlineSensors for fetoscopic spina bifida repair.
Marc Oria, PhD● OnlineSmart polymeric patch for fetoscopic spina bifida repair.
Agnieszka Pastuszka, MDOxidative stress in the neural tissue of spina bifida.
Diana Farmer, MD● OnlineStem-cells for prenatal spina bifida.
Sophia Liu, MDPhospholipid profile in fetal rodent model of neural tube defects.
Alessandro Pellegata, PhDAFSC bio-printed gel for spina bifida treatment.
Tim Van Mieghen, MD● OnlineDa Vinci robot for fetoscopic spina bifida repair.
Jose L. Peiro, MD, PhDNew robotic platforms for prenatal fetoscopic spina bifida repair.
Q & A
6:00 PM
FINAL REMARKS and CLOSURE of the Symposium.

Moderator: Jose l. Peiro, MD, PhD

CCMIJU  ·  Cáceres, Spain  ·  22–23 October