Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation in the management of twin-twin transfusion syndrome: local experience from Hong Kong

X Yang, TY Leung, Warwick D Ngan Kee, M Chen, LW Chan, TK Lau
Prenatal Diagnostic Centre, Guangzhou Obstetrics and Neonatal Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China

OBJECTIVE. To review the perinatal outcome of monochorionic twin pregnancies treated by fetoscopic laser coagulation for twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

DESIGN. Retrospective study.

SETTING. A university teaching hospital in Hong Kong.

PATIENTS. Thirty consecutive cases of fetoscopic laser coagulation of placental anastomoses for twin-twin transfusion syndrome performed in a single centre.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Operative complications and perinatal survival rates.

RESULTS. The median gestational age at initial presentation, laser photocoagulation, and delivery were 22 (range, 16-27) weeks, 23 (18-28) weeks, and 32 (21-37) weeks, respectively. To improve the visualisation, in three cases amnio-exchange was undertaken; the procedure was abandoned in two due to poor visualisation. The overall fetal survival rate, the double infant survival rate, and survival rate for at least one twin were 72% (43/60), 60% (18/30), and 83% (25/30), respectively. The most common peri-operative complication was bleeding from the uterine wall into the amniotic cavity, which affected three (10%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS. Our results of fetoscopic laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome were similar to those in specialised centres in other countries.

Hong Kong Med J 2010;16:275-81

Key words: Fetofetal transfusion; Fetoscopy; Laser coagulation; Pregnancy outcome; Twins, monozygotic