Invasive antenatal interventions in complicated multiple pregnancies.

Abstract

Multiple pregnancies still pose challenging problems for modern medicine. Complications in monochorionic multiple pregnancies have sparked a revival of fetoscopy as a means surgery on the placenta and umbilical cord. As such, fetoscopic laser coagulation is currently the best first-line treatment for severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Also, fetoscopic or ultrasound-guided cord coagulation seems to be an effective technique for selective feticide in monochorionic twins, albeit with still considerably higher fetal loss rates compared with selective feticide by potassium chloride injection in dichorionic twins.

• Authors: Liesbeth Lewi, Jacques Jani, Jan Deprest
• Journal: Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America (Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am) Vol. 32 Issue 1 Pg. 105-26, x (Mar 2005) ISSN: 0889-8545 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15644293 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Topics

• Chorion (diagnostic imaging)
• Female
• Fetofetal Transfusion (surgery)
• Fetoscopy
• Humans
• Laser Coagulation (adverse effects)
• Placenta (blood supply)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications
• Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal
• Pregnancy, Multiple
• Risk Factors
• Twins, Dizygotic
• Twins, Monozygotic
• Ultrasonography