Genetic amniocentesis in twin pregnancies: results of a multicenter study of 529 cases.

To evaluate the risk of abortion after genetic amniocentesis in twin pregnancies, a retrospective study of 15 centers was performed. The spontaneous abortion rate up to 20 completed weeks of gestation was 2.3%; the abortion rate up to 28 completed weeks, as defined by WHO, was 3.7%. The abortion rate could not be correlated either with the number of needle insertions or with the type of marker dye used. There was also no correlation between the abortion rate and the gestational age at which amniocentesis was performed. A significant association was shown between congenital intestinal obstructions and the application of methylene blue intra-amniotically as a marker dye. Considering the increased natural loss rate in multiple gestations, amniocentesis in twin pregnancies seems to be a safe and reliable technique.

[Use of controlled hemotherapy in operative gynecology]. / Der Einsatz der gezielten Hämotherapie in der operativen Frauenheilkunde.

Hemotherapy performed in our clinic was investigated in patients operated on in the years 1973 and 1982. A total of 832 operations (638 gynaecological interventions and 194 cesarean sections) were used for evaluation. - Transfusion rates decreased from 72% (1973) to 13% (1982) due to systematic application of crystalloid and colloidal infusions to cases of blood loss of up to 20% of the total blood volume. The percentage of erythrocyte concentrate applied increased from 0.4% (1973) to 42% (1982), while it even reached 80% when related to the total blood transfusions of our clinic. To conclude, strict principles should be adopted in deciding for blood transfusion as well as in purposefully applying blood constituents lost. The advantageous development in the economy of surgery is outlined.

[Alpha 1 fetoproteins determination in the amniotic fluid -- a method for prenatal diagnosis]. / alpha1-Fetoproteinbestimmung im Fruchtwasser -- eine Methode der pränatalen Diagnostik

It is reported on the evaluation of alpha1-fetoprotein in amniotic fluid by means of single radial immundiffusion method. Our results are compared with those in the literature. The importance of this method is discussed for antenatal diagnosis of spina bifida and anencephaly.