ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of fetoscopic photocoagulation of communicating placental vessels in twin-twin transfusion syndrome(TTTS)(selective or non-selective) on the perinatal outcomes.Methods Six cases of TTTS admitted in our department from Dec.2006 to Jun.2008 underwent fetoscopic photocoagulation of communicating vessels.Under direct real-time sonographic guidance,a 3-mm-diameter fetoscope was percutaneously inserted through the maternal abdominal wall into the amniotic cavity of the recipient twin.A combination of ultrasonographic and fetoscopic vision was used to identify the crossing vessels which were systematically coagulated using Nd:YAG laser fiber or bipolar electrocoagulation.Results All the 6 mothers tolerated the procedure without major complications.Two fetal survival rate was 33.33%.Conclusion Fetoscopic photocoagulation of communicating placental vessels in TTTS can effectively improve perinatal outcomes.