Background Monochorionic multiple pregnancies （MMPs） are associated with higher rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality caused by interfetal vascular anastomoses in the monochorionic placenta, which can lead to f...Background Monochorionic multiple pregnancies （MMPs） are associated with higher rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality caused by interfetal vascular anastomoses in the monochorionic placenta, which can lead to fetal health interactions. In some circumstances, selective feticide of the affected fetus is necessary to save the healthy co-twin. We evaluated the effects and safety of our initial experiences using bipolar cord coagulation for the management of complicated MMPs. Methods Using ultrasound-guided bipolar cord coagulation, we performed selective feticide on 14 complicated MMPs （5 with twin-twin transfusion syndrome, 4 with acardia, 3 with discordant structural anomalies, and 2 with severe selective intrauterine growth restriction）. One patient with monochorionic triplets received the procedure twice to terminate 2 affected fetuses for different JndJcatJons. Data regarding the operations, complications and neonatal outcomes were analyzed. Results Cord occlusions were successfully performed in 13/14 （93%） cases. The failure happened in an acardiac fetus and the pregnancy was terminated by induction. The included cases delivered at a mean gestational age of 35.4 weeks with a perinatal survival rate of 11/13 （85%）. Three operation-related complications occurred （21%）, including membrane rupture of the terminated sac （1 case）, preterm labor at 28 weeks gestation （1 case）, and chorioamniotic membrane separation （1 case）. Amnioinfusion was indicated in 11 procedures to expand the target sacs for entering the trocar and obtaining sufficient working space. However, in all 4 cases of acardia, the acardiac sacs showed extreme oligohydramnios and could not be well expanded by infusion; thus, the trocar had to be inserted from the sac of the preserved co-twin. Conclusions The application of bipolar cord coagulation in complicated MMPs is safe and improves the prognosis. Amnioinfusion is useful in helping to expand the target sac when the working space is limited.展开更多
The complications of monochorionic （MC） multiple pregnancies include twin-reversed arterial perfusion（TRAP） and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome （TTTS）. Currently, the most effective treatment for stages Ⅱ,Ⅲ,...The complications of monochorionic （MC） multiple pregnancies include twin-reversed arterial perfusion（TRAP） and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome （TTTS）. Currently, the most effective treatment for stages Ⅱ,Ⅲ, and Ⅳ TTTS is generally considered to be fetoscopic laser occlusion of chorioangiopagous vessels （FLOC）.3 MC twins who are severely discordant for growth or demonstrate anomalies may undergo selective reduction by means of a variety of different techniques.4 Radiofrequency ablation （RFA） of an acardiac twin has also proved to be an effective method of improving survival of the pump twin in the TRAP. Therefore, care for these complex pregnancies is ideally a coordinated multidisciplinary effort between perinatology, pediatric/fetal surgery, pediatric neurology, radiology/ ultrasound, genetics, social services, neonatology, and labor and delivery.展开更多
文摘Background Monochorionic multiple pregnancies （MMPs） are associated with higher rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality caused by interfetal vascular anastomoses in the monochorionic placenta, which can lead to fetal health interactions. In some circumstances, selective feticide of the affected fetus is necessary to save the healthy co-twin. We evaluated the effects and safety of our initial experiences using bipolar cord coagulation for the management of complicated MMPs. Methods Using ultrasound-guided bipolar cord coagulation, we performed selective feticide on 14 complicated MMPs （5 with twin-twin transfusion syndrome, 4 with acardia, 3 with discordant structural anomalies, and 2 with severe selective intrauterine growth restriction）. One patient with monochorionic triplets received the procedure twice to terminate 2 affected fetuses for different JndJcatJons. Data regarding the operations, complications and neonatal outcomes were analyzed. Results Cord occlusions were successfully performed in 13/14 （93%） cases. The failure happened in an acardiac fetus and the pregnancy was terminated by induction. The included cases delivered at a mean gestational age of 35.4 weeks with a perinatal survival rate of 11/13 （85%）. Three operation-related complications occurred （21%）, including membrane rupture of the terminated sac （1 case）, preterm labor at 28 weeks gestation （1 case）, and chorioamniotic membrane separation （1 case）. Amnioinfusion was indicated in 11 procedures to expand the target sacs for entering the trocar and obtaining sufficient working space. However, in all 4 cases of acardia, the acardiac sacs showed extreme oligohydramnios and could not be well expanded by infusion; thus, the trocar had to be inserted from the sac of the preserved co-twin. Conclusions The application of bipolar cord coagulation in complicated MMPs is safe and improves the prognosis. Amnioinfusion is useful in helping to expand the target sac when the working space is limited.
文摘The complications of monochorionic （MC） multiple pregnancies include twin-reversed arterial perfusion（TRAP） and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome （TTTS）. Currently, the most effective treatment for stages Ⅱ,Ⅲ, and Ⅳ TTTS is generally considered to be fetoscopic laser occlusion of chorioangiopagous vessels （FLOC）.3 MC twins who are severely discordant for growth or demonstrate anomalies may undergo selective reduction by means of a variety of different techniques.4 Radiofrequency ablation （RFA） of an acardiac twin has also proved to be an effective method of improving survival of the pump twin in the TRAP. Therefore, care for these complex pregnancies is ideally a coordinated multidisciplinary effort between perinatology, pediatric/fetal surgery, pediatric neurology, radiology/ ultrasound, genetics, social services, neonatology, and labor and delivery.
