Fetal Therapy Center at UM/Jackson - 305-585-6636

Our Team

Rubén Quintero, M.D., is professor of obstetrics and gynecology and the director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. He developed the field of operative fetoscopy to treat birth defects in utero via a minimally-invasive approach by designing surgical instruments and techniques. He pioneered the selective laser surgery technique to treat Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) and the staging classification of TTTS that is used worldwide. He is one of a few physicians who performs laser surgery to correct the syndrome. Dr. Quintero has authored dozens of scientific papers and book chapters. He is also the editor of the first book on minimally invasive fetal surgery, Diagnostic and Operative Fetoscopy, pulished in 2002, and the editor of the first book on TTTS, Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, published in 2007.

Educational Background

Medical School
Universidad Central de Venezuela Medical School

Residency
Yale University School of Medicine

Fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Yale University School of Medicine

Clinical Interests
Embryoscopy, fetoscopy, prenatal diagnosis, minimally-invasive perinatal procedures, fetal endoscopic surgery, premature rupture of membranes

Research Interests
Severe selective intrauterine growth retardation in monochorionic/diamniotic twins, and amniopatch to treat iatrogenic premature rupture of membranes

Landmark Procedures

First laser ablation of posterior urethral valves.
First successful umbilical cord occlusion of acardiac twin.
First devascularization of a large chorioangioma.
First lysis of amniotic bands.
First selective laser photocoagulation of placental vessels in twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
First staging of twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
First treatment of iatrogenic previable premature rupture of membranes with amniopatch.
First fetal hydrolaparoscopy and endoscopic cystotomy in complicated cases of lower urinary tract obstruction.
First minimally-invasive intraluminal tracheal occlusion for congenital diaphragmatic hernia via direct fetal laryngoscopy
First selective photocoagulation of communicating vessels in the treatment of monochorionic twins with selective growth retardation.
First in-utero treatment of fetal bladder-outlet obstruction by a ureterocele.
First intra-amniotic ultrasound.
First surgical treatment of spontaneous rupture of membranes: the amniograft.
First in utero laser atrial septotomy in the treatment of hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
First intracardiac fetal endoscopy.
First sequential selective laser photocoagulation of placental vessels in twin-twin transfusion syndrom.
First in utero treatment of Type II Vasa Previa.

Eftichia V. Kontopoulos, M.D., has recently joined the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine as the director of obstetric ultrasound and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology. She is a perinatologist who has subspecialized in fetal therapy and surgery. She will be working alongside Dr. Quintero in performing surgeries in-utero at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital Fetal Therapy Center.

She is the author of numerous scientific papers, peer- reviewed articles and has co- authored chapters on the topic of fetal therapy and twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Board Certifications
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Maternal Fetal Medicine

Medical School
Semmelweis University of Medicine (Budapest, Hungary)

Residency
Obstetrics and Gynecology - University of Medicine and Dentistry - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School/Saint Peter’s University Hospital (New Brunswick, New Jersey)

Fellowship
Maternal Fetal Medicine - University of Medicine and Dentistry - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (New Brunswick, New Jersey)

Clinical Interests
Prenatal diagnosis and ultrasound, multiple gestation, fetal therapy and fetal surgery.

Research Interests
Evidence- based medicine, complicated multiple gestation, fetal therapy and fetal surgery.

References for Lankmark Procedures

1. Quintero RA, Hume R, Smith C, Johnson MP, Cotton DB, Romero R, et al. Percutaneous fetal cystoscopy and endoscopic fulguration of posterior urethral valves [see comments]. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1995;172:206-9.

2. Quintero R, Reich H, Puder K, et al. Brief report: Umbilical-cord ligation of an acardiac twin by fetoscopy at 19 weeks of gestation. N Eng J Med 1994;330:469-471.

3. Quintero RA, Reich H, Romero R, Johnson MP, Goncalves L, Evans MI. In utero endoscopic devascularization of a large chorioangioma. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 1996;8:48-52.

4. Quintero R, Morales W, Phillips J, Kalter C, Angel J. In utero lysis of amniotic bands. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 1997;10:316-20.

5. Quintero R, Morales W, Mendoza G, Allen M, Kalter C, Giannina G, et al. Selective photocoagulation of placental vessels in twin-twin transfusion syndrome: Evolution of a surgical technique. Obstet Gynecol Surv 1998;53:s97-s103.

6. Quintero R, Morales W, Allen M, Bornick P, Johnson P, Krueger M. Staging of twin-twin transfusion syndrome. J Perinatol 1999;19:550-555.

7. Quintero R, Morales W, Allen M, Bornick P, Arroyo J, LeParc G. Treatment of iatrogenic previable premature rupture of membranes with intraamniotic injection of platelets and cryoprecipitate (amniopatch): Preliminary experience. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:744-749.

8. Quintero RA, Morales WJ, Allen MH, Bornick PW, Johnson P. Fetal hydrolaparoscopy and endoscopic cystotomy in complicated cases of lower urinary tract obstruction. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:324-30; discussion 330-3.

9. Quintero R, Morales W, Bornick P, Allen M, Johnson P. Minimally-invasive intraluminal tracheal occlusion in a human fetus with left congenital diaphragmatic hernia at 27 weeks' gestation via direct fetal laryngoscopy. Prenat Neonat Med 2000;5:134-40.

10. Quintero RA, Bornick PW, Morales WJ, Allen MH. Selective photocoagulation of communicating vessels in the treatment of monochorionic twins with selective growth retardation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185:689-96.

In addition to our physicians, the fetal therapy team includes numerous research and clinical support staff including nurses, and ultrasound and surgical technicians.

Back row from left: Pam Uharriet, nurse coordinator, Humberto Elejalde, sr. data programmer, Isabel Sanchez, administrative assistant, Jennifer Suarez, sr. data entry clerk; second row from left: Jazlene Daniel, surgical technician, Jill Osit, ultrasound technician, Yvette Plummer, internal review board coordinator (research); front row from left: Dr. Ruben Quintero, Dr. Eftichia Kontopoulos, Jennifer King, operating room nurse, Lily Corral, nurse, Anastasia Godur, research assistant, and Yvette Rivero, research coordinator.