Septostomy during laser surgery for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

Aim. To assess the perinatal outcomes of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) pregnancy after fetoscopic laser coagulation of anastomoses (FLCA) performed for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), accompanied by induced or unintentional septostomy, and to identify the factors leading to septostomy. Materials and methods. The retrospective study included 231 cases of FLCA performed in pregnant women with TTTS: in 19 cases septostomy was performed, and in 212 cases intertwin membrane remained intact. Results. The incidence of septostomy during FLCA for TTTS was 8.2%. In 47.3% the rupture of the intertwin membrane occurred during trocar insertion (unintentional septostomy); in 42.1% septostomy was needed to perform laser coagulation of anastomoses located on the placental surface in the donor's amnion (forced septostomy). The placenta was located on the anterior uterine wall in 78.9% in the septostomy group and in 47.6% with an intact intertwin membrane (p=0.01). Anastomoses were located on the donor half of the placenta significantly more often when septostomy was needed to perform selective coagulation of anastomoses located far from the intertwin membrane and obstructed by the body of the donor fetus (42.1%). In 15.8% of patients with septostomy and 2.4% with intact intertwin membrane, umbilical cords of the donor and the recipient fetus were attached closer than 2 cm to each other (p=0.003). In the septostomy group premature rupture of membranes was more frequent (42.1% vs 18.4%, p=0.03) and a delivery time was shorter [26.3 (18.0, 37.0) vs 34.4 (20.3, 40.0) weeks, respectively, p=0.01] than in patients with an intact intertwin membrane. The survival rate after FLCA was lower after septostomy compared to intact intertwin membrane: at least one of the twins survived in 47.4% vs 80.7%, respectively (p=0.002), both fetuses survived in 36.8% vs 75.0%, respectively (p=0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed increased risk of septostomy in patients with the anastomoses located on the donor half of the placenta and when the donor and the recipient umbilical cords are attached close to each other, regardless of the localization of the placenta, gestational age and the stage of TTTS. Conclusion. Lower incidence of unintentional septostomy during FLCA achieved by using modern equipment and surgical techniques will lead to better perinatal outcomes in patients with MCDA twins with TTTS.

Relapse of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-Induced Hyperthyroidism and Severe Hyperemesis Gravidarum Secondary to Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, With Rapid Recovery Following Fetoscopic Laser Coagulation: Case Report

BackgroundLimited data have shown that, compared to uncomplicated twin pregnancies, pregnancies complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a life-threatening condition, are associated with higher maternal serum levels of both human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and thyroid hormones. With the continuing expansion of assisted reproductive technologies, the rate of twin pregnancies, including those complicated by TTTS and associated hyperemesis gravidarum, is expected to increase further. Therefore, detailed descriptions of the maternal and fetal clinical outcomes of maternal thyrotoxicosis linked to TTTS can be useful for timely diagnosis and management. However, such descriptions are currently lacking in the literature.Case PresentationWe report the case of a 30-year-old woman carrying a monochorionic twin pregnancy complicated by TTTS that induced a relapse of severe hyperemesis gravidarum with overt non-autoimmune hyperthyroidism at 17 weeks of gestation. Following fetoscopic laser coagulation (FLC), both hyperemesis and hyperthyroidism improved within 1 week.ConclusionsThe present experience contributes to the knowledge base on maternal thyrotoxicosis linked to TTTS and can be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of future cases; it also emphasizes the need for a high degree of clinical suspicion and for close collaboration between endocrinologists and obstetricians. Another key point is that TTTS-associated hyperemesis gravidarum and maternal hyperthyroidism should be considered in the differential diagnosis of refractory or relapsing hyperemesis gravidarum in women with monochorionic twin pregnancy, because this condition may require more stringent supportive treatment before and during the FLC procedure when the mother is overtly hyperthyroid.

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. A 15-year experience in using fetoscopic therapy

This article presents the aspects of fetoscopic laser coagulation of anastomoses (FLCA) for treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome in the Russian Federation and worldwide. Own experience is correlated with the world one. There is a significant need for domestic medicine to increase the number of clinics that provide this type of intervention. Nevertheless, there is no obvious lag in comparing the results of FLCA in the Russian Federation. Key words: monochorionic pregnancy, fetoscopy, laser coagulation of anastomoses, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

Twin anemia polycythemia sequence – modern approaches to diagnosis and antenatal correction

Twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS) is a specific complication of the monochorionic multiple birth, which is based on chronic feto-fetal blood transfusion over placental vascular anastomoses, and the main clinical symptom is discordant fetal hemoglobin level in the absence amniotic fluid imbalance. Currently, there is no generally recognized consensus on the optimal treatment tactics. Dynamic observation, labor, intrauterine blood transfusion, selective fetocide, fetoscopic laser coagulation of placental vascular anastomoses are applied, although the latter is recognized by the majority of researchers as the most promising method for treating TAPS. There are disagreements in estimating the frequency of perinatal morbidity and mortality during pregnancy, complicated by the development of TAPS, and their real value has not yet been completely defined. Key words: intrauterine transfusion, Solomon method, monochorionic twins, twin anemia polycythemia sequence, fetoscopic laser coagulation