Randomized controlled trial of twin-twin transfusion syndrome laser surgery: the sequential trial.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative blood transfer between twins during laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome can vary by surgical technique and has been proposed to explain differences in donor twin survival. OBJECTIVE: This trial compared donor twin survival with 2 laser techniques: the sequential technique, in which the arteriovenous communications from the volume-depleted donor to the volume-overloaded recipient are laser-occluded before those from recipient to donor, and the selective technique, in which the occlusion of the vascular communications is performed in no particular order. STUDY DESIGN: A single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted in which twin-twin transfusion syndrome patients were randomized to sequential vs selective laser surgery. Nested within the trial, a second trial randomized patients with superficial anastomoses (arterioarterial and venovenous) to ablation of these connections first (before ablating the arteriovenous anastomoses) vs last. The primary outcome measure was donor twin survival at birth. RESULTS: A total of 642 patients were randomized. Overall donor twin survival was similar between the 2 groups (274 of 320 [85.6%] vs 271 of 322 [84.2%]; odds ratio, 1.12 [95% confidence interval, 0.73-1.73]; P=.605). Superficial anastomoses occurred in 177 of 642 cases (27.6%). Donor survival was lower in the superficial anastomosis group vs those with only arteriovenous communications (125 of 177 [70.6%] vs 420 of 465 [90.3%]; adjusted odds ratio, 0.33 [95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.54]; P<.001). In cases with superficial anastomoses, donor survival was independent of the timing of ablation or surgical technique. The postoperative mean middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity was lower in the sequential vs selective group (1.00±0.30 vs 1.06±0.30 multiples of the median; P=.003). Post hoc analyses showed 2 factors that were associated with poor overall donor twin survival: the presence or absence of donor twin preoperative critical abnormal Doppler parameters and the presence or absence of arterioarterial anastomoses. Depending on these factors, 4 categories of patients resulted: (1) Category 1 (347 of 642 [54%]), no donor twin critical abnormal Doppler + no arterioarterial anastomoses: donor twin survival was 91.2% in the sequential and 93.8% in the selective groups; (2) Category 2 (143 of 642 [22%]), critical abnormal Doppler present + no arterioarterial anastomoses: donor survival was 89.9% vs 75.7%; (3) Category 3 (73 of 642 [11%]), no critical abnormal Doppler + arterioarterial anastomoses present: donor survival was 94.7% vs 74.3%; and (4) Category 4 (79 of 642 [12%]), critical abnormal Doppler present + arterioarterial anastomoses present: donor survival was 47.6% vs 64.9%. CONCLUSION: Donor twin survival did not differ between the sequential vs selective laser techniques and did not differ if superficial anastomoses were ablated first vs last. The donor twin's postoperative middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity was improved with the sequential vs the selective approach. Post hoc analyses suggest that donor twin survival may be associated with the choice of laser technique according to high-risk factors. Further study is needed to determine whether using these categories to guide the choice of surgical technique will improve outcomes.

Abdominal compartment syndrome in a monochorionic-triamniotic triplet pregnancy complicated by feto-fetal transfusion syndrome.

A 40-year-old primigravida woman with a monochorionic-triamniotic (MT) triplet pregnancy was hospitalized due to threatened abortion at 16 gestational weeks. Polyhydramnios in two fetuses and oligohydramnios in the third supported a diagnosis of feto-fetal transfusion syndrome (FFTS) at 23 weeks and 3 days of gestation. Severe dyspnea and liver dysfunction required intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation support, and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) caused by polyhydramnios was clinically diagnosed. When her general condition was not improved regardless of intensive care, the patient delivered the three fetuses by cesarean section at 23 weeks and 5 days gestation. Abdominal decompression was achieved with delivery, and the patient was discharged 13 days after operation without morbidity. This is the first case report of ACS caused by FFTS in a MT triplet pregnancy resulting in extremely preterm birth.

Cirugía fetal láser en síndrome de transfusión feto feto y restricción selectiva del crecimiento intrauterino

Introduction: The monochorionic biamniotic twin pregnancy (MCBA) corresponds to approximately 15% of all twin pregnancies and an estimate of 10-15% develop complications proper of these types of pregnancies, such as selective intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGRs) and feto-fetal transfusion syndrome (FFTS). Laser fetal surgery allows treatment of these hemodynamic alterations of MCBA by fulguration of placental anastomoses, and it is currently considered the first-choice therapy for FFTS and some IUGR cases. Objectives: To highlight the general aspects of laser fetal surgery and to describe current evidence of its efficacy and safety in FFTS and IUGRs. Methods: Review of articles published during the last five years in indexed journals from the following databases: PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. Review papers, original papers, and systemic reviews were included. Classic relevant papers on fetal surgery history were also included. Results: By means of this nonsystematic review of the literature, 43 articles were considered for the present paper. Conclusion: This review evidences that laser fetal surgery improves the prognosis of FFTS fetuses. The use of this therapy in IUGRs cases has not improved survival.

Introducción. El embarazo gemelar monocorial biamniótico (MCBA) corresponde aproximadamente al 15% de los embarazos gemelares y, de estos, se estima que 10 a 15% desarrollan complicaciones propias de este tipo de embarazos, como la restricción selectiva del crecimiento intrauterino (RCIUS) y el síndrome de transfusión feto (STFF). La cirugía fetal láser permite tratar la causa de estas alteraciones hemodinámicas propias de los embarazos MCBA a través de la coagulación de las anastomosis placentarias, y es considerada actualmente la terapia de elección en el STFF y aplicable en algunos casos de RCIUS. Objetivos. Resaltar los aspectos generales de la cirugía fetal láser y describir la evidencia actual de la eficacia y seguridad de su uso en el STFF y la RCIUS. Metodología. Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura de artículos publicados en revistas indexadas en las siguientes bases de datos: PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library. Se incluyeron revisiones de tema, investigaciones originales y revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura, publicadas en los últimos 5 años. Además, se incluyen artículos clásicos relevantes en la historia de la cirugía fetal. Resultados. Producto de la revisión no sistemática de la literatura, se incluyeron 43 para la construcción de la presente revisión. Conclusiones. La presente revisión evidencia que la cirugía láser fetal mejora el pronóstico de los fetos con STFF. El uso de dicha terapia para los casos de restricción de crecimiento intrauterino selectivo no ha mejorado la sobrevida.

Intrauterine fetal death in triplet gestation caused by feto-fetal transfusion syndrome - a case report.

Feto-fetal transfusion syndrome (FFTS) severely affects monochorionic (MC) multiple pregnancies and affects 1 in 1600 pregnancies overall. The number of increasing disputed obstetrics cases in China is related to unavailability of prompt diagnosis of FFTS. We present here a woman with a MC triplet pregnancy with intrauterine fetal death at 33 weeks of gestation due to FFTS. Subsequent pathological anatomy showed that the MC placenta contained vascular anastomoses, including arterio-arterial anastomosis and arterio-venous anastomosis. These anastomoses led to unidirectional blood flow with the absence of adequate compensatory counter-transfusion and bi-directional flow. When encountering such challenging conditions, medical practitioners should discreetly compare the fetuses' characteristics with features of placental blood vessels and consult morphological and pathological findings. Furthermore, they should perform ultrasound examinations, particularly focussing on fetal size differences and the maximum vertical pocket in the diagnosis of FFTS, especially in MC multiple pregnancies with abdominal symptoms.

Rapid Resolution of Polyhydramnios Foretells Circulatory Collapse for the Donor Twin in Feto-Fetal Transfusion Syndrome.

Feto-fetal transfusion syndrome is a pathological process unique to diamniotic monochorionic pregnancies. It is the consequence of an unbalanced fetal blood flow through communicating vessels within a shared placenta. When it occurs, a polyuric, hypervolemic recipient twin co-exists with a hypovolemic oliguric donor. The presence of polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios is considered a poor prognostic indicator, whereas normal amniotic fluid volumes indicate a lack of clinically significant twintwin transfusion. In addition, the spontaneous normalization of amniotic fluid volume is usually seen as a favorable prognostic sign. Here, however, we present a case of feto-fetal transfusion in a 31 year-old primigravida at 19 week, in which the spontaneous normalization of amniotic fluid volume in the recipient twin preceded the death of the donor.

Drug Closure of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus in An Extremely Low Birth Weight Premature Newborn. A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Patent ductus arteriosus involves maintaining the permeability of the vascular ductus located between the pulmonary artery and the descending aorta, due to the failure of transition from foetal to adult type circulation. This malformation is characteristic to premature newborns with extremely low birth weight. The main pathophysiological factors identified in this pathology are immaturity of the smooth muscles, presence of vasodilator mediators and persistent hypoxaemia. Ductal-dependent cardiac malformations require drug therapy for keeping the permeability of the ductus arteriosus until the time of corrective surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of an extremely low birth weight premature newborn, derived from twin pregnancy with suspected specific pathology, respectively feto-fetal transfusion syndrome, admitted to the Regional Centre of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Tîrgu-Mures.Premature newborn with gestational age 31-32 weeks, extremely low birth weight, derived from twin pregnancy, with adequate prenatal follow up, was born by caesarean section for severe intrauterine growth restriction secondary to feto-fetal transfusion syndrome suspicion. The newborn developed respiratory distress syndrome by surfactant deficiency, intraventricular-haemorrhage grade I/II, and severe retinopathy. The detection of a systolic murmur in the second week of life, the diastolic theft revealed by trans-fontanellar ultrasound as well as lowered diastolic blood pressure values raised the suspicion of a patent ductus arteriosus and therefore specific treatment with ibuprofen, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, was initiated. Progressive alteration of the newborn's condition and the evidence of a coarctation of the aorta imposed the initiation of Prostaglandin E1 therapy and subsequent surgical correction. CONCLUSIONS: Although beneficial, prophylactic or therapeutic closure of persistent ductus arteriosus may worsen the evolution of a newborn with a "silent" cardiac malformation and associated pathology.

Fotocoagulación con láser argón en el síndrome de transfusión feto-fetal

Se comunica el primer caso de cirugía fetal a nivel nacional en una gestante primigesta de 27 semanas con el diagnóstico de síndrome de transfusión feto-fetal, con categoría Quintero III, realizado en el Hospital Nacional EsSalud Huancayo Ramiro Priale Priale, utilizándose la técnica de fotocoagulación con láser de argón, por vía transcutánea. El resultado postoperatorio fue exitoso, con sobrevida en ambos fetos, los cuales nacieron vía cesárea luego de 25 días de la fotocoagulación, por presentar rotura prematura de membranas.

The first case of fetal surgery in Peru in a woman in her first 27 weeks pregnancy and diagnosis of category Quintero III feto-fetal transfusion syndrome is reported. It was performed at Hospital Nacional EsSalud Huancayo Ramiro Priale Priale using transcutaneous argon laser photocoagulation. Post operatory outcome was good and fetuses were born by cesarean section after 25 days from photocoagulation due to premature rupture of membranes.