Selective termination procedures in monochorionic pregnancies. 2005

Alexandra C Spadola, and Lynn L Simpson
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Monochorionic twins have placental anastomoses that to varying degrees create a common circulation. This presents unique challenges for the performance of selective fetal termination in cases of twin-twin transfusion syndrome, twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence, or discordant twin abnormalities. Multiple methods of interrupting the affected twin's circulation have been attempted with variable success. One of the most frequent complications of any approach is iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of membranes. Laser coagulation in the midtrimester appears to be safe and effective; however, it is only available at limited centers. Currently, bipolar coagulation is the method of choice in the second half of pregnancy. The recently reported technique of radiofrequency ablation appears to be successful with minimal complications. Exploration of further percutaneous and noninvasive techniques, as well as interventions to decrease the morbidity arising from preterm membrane rupture, may lead to increased survival of the remaining twin and reduced risk of maternal complications.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011272 Pregnancy, Multiple The condition of carrying two or more FETUSES simultaneously. Multiple Pregnancy,Multiple Pregnancies,Pregnancies, Multiple
D005260 Female Females
D005322 Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture Spontaneous tearing of the membranes surrounding the FETUS any time before the onset of OBSTETRIC LABOR. Preterm PROM is membrane rupture before 37 weeks of GESTATION. Premature Rupture of Membrane (Pregnancy),PROM (Pregnancy),Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes,Preterm PROM (Pregnancy),Preterm Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes,Membrane Premature Rupture (Pregnancy),Membrane Premature Ruptures (Pregnancy),PROM, Preterm (Pregnancy)
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014430 Twins, Monozygotic Two off-spring from the same PREGNANCY. They are from a single fertilized OVUM that split into two EMBRYOS. Such twins are usually genetically identical and of the same sex. Twins, Identical,Identical Twin,Identical Twins,Monozygotic Twin,Monozygotic Twins,Twin, Identical,Twin, Monozygotic
D017075 Laser Coagulation The use of green light-producing LASERS to stop bleeding. The green light is selectively absorbed by HEMOGLOBIN, thus triggering BLOOD COAGULATION. Laser Thermocoagulation,Thermocoagulation, Laser,Coagulation, Laser,Coagulations, Laser,Laser Coagulations,Laser Thermocoagulations,Thermocoagulations, Laser
D018607 Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal Selective abortion of one or more embryos or fetuses in a multiple gestation pregnancy. The usual goal is to improve the outcome for the remaining embryos or fetuses. Embryo Reduction,Fetal Reduction,Fetal Termination, Selective,Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction,Embryo Reductions,Fetal Reductions,Fetal Terminations, Selective,Multifetal Pregnancy Reductions,Pregnancy Reductions, Multifetal,Reduction, Embryo,Reduction, Fetal,Reduction, Multifetal Pregnancy,Reductions, Embryo,Reductions, Fetal,Reductions, Multifetal Pregnancy,Selective Fetal Termination,Selective Fetal Terminations,Termination, Selective Fetal,Terminations, Selective Fetal

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