Selective vs complete fetoscopic coagulation of vascular equator: a matched comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Complete coagulation of the vascular equator (as in the Solomon technique) has been suggested to reduce postoperative complications such as twin anemia polycythemia syndrome and the recurrence of twin-twin transfusion syndrome following fetoscopic laser coagulation of chorionic vessels for twin-twin transfusion syndrome. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the benefit of this technique on perinatal outcomes compared with selective ablation of anastomoses. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a monocentric retrospective study comparing selective laser coagulation of anastomoses to the Solomon technique from January 2006 to August 2020. To adjust for potential confounders, the cases operated by selective surgery were matched to the cases operated with the Solomon technique according to the gestational age at laser therapy, placental localization, and Quintero stage using propensity score matching. RESULTS: With a total of 994 cases, 399 matched pairs were included in the analysis. Compared with selective ablation, the Solomon technique was associated with significantly improved survival: the overall twin survival at delivery and discharge was 72% vs 79% (P=.003) and 69% vs 75% (P=.006), respectively; the double twin survival rate at discharge was 55% vs 65% (P=.02), respectively, and the rate of intrauterine death dropped from 18% to 12% (P=.003), respectively. The Solomon technique significantly reduced the rate of twin anemia polycythemia syndrome (10% vs 4%; P=.02), leading to fewer secondary rescue procedures (13% vs 7.3%; P=.01). However, the Solomon technique was associated with an increased risk of preterm rupture of membranes, especially at early gestational ages (3.8% vs 11%; P<.001 for preterm rupture of membranes <24 weeks). Among the survivors at delivery, both the groups had similar gestational ages at birth. Both neonatal mortality and severe neurologic morbidity were similar in both the groups. However, an increased risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was found in the Solomon group (4.5% vs 12%; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Although the risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes has increased, the introduction of the Solomon technique has significantly improved perinatal outcomes in pregnancies affected with twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Impact of laser therapy for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome on subsequent pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of our study was to determine the impact of laser therapy for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTs) on subsequent pregnancies. METHODS: This was a monocentric retrospective observational study. Women treated by laser fetoscopy for TTTs were asked to answer a postal questionnaire about subsequent pregnancies. The primary outcome was fecundity (number of pregnancies and time to pregnancy). We also assessed pregnancy complications, birth weight, and gestational age at delivery. Pregnancy complications included the following: threatened preterm labor, preeclampsia, placenta accreta, postpartum hemorrhage, and psychological disorders. Our study population was compared with an external control group made up of mothers of monochorionic twins without TTTs. RESULTS: We included 122 cases managed at the Necker Hospital between 2008 and 2012 and 39 controls. The median conception time was longer in the TTTs group (6.4 ± 11.1 versus 2 ± 1.6 months, P = .03). The numbers of live childbirths at the end of those pregnancies were equivalent (77.6% versus 66.7%, P = .56). Birth weight (3317 ± 726 versus 3240 ± 382 g, P = .81) and gestational age at delivery (38.2 ± 6.8 WG versus 39.5 ± 1.2 WG, P = .64) were similar, with no increase of obstetrical complications compared with the control group. DISCUSSION: Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and its treatment do not seem to impact subsequent pregnancies.

Impact of Monochorionicity and Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome on Prenatal Attachment, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms.

Monochronioric (MC) twin pregnancies are considered as high-risk pregnancies with potential complications requiring in-utero interventions. We aimed to assess prenatal attachment, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms in MC pregnancies complicated with Twin-To-Twin-transfusion syndrome (TTTS) in comparison to uncomplicated monochorionic (UMC) and dichorionic pregnancies (DC). Auto-questionnaires were filled out at diagnosis of TTTS and at successive milestones. Prenatal attachment, PTSD, anxiety and perinatal depression were evaluated respectively by the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) completed for each twin, the Post-traumatic Checklist Scale (PCLS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS). There was no significant difference in the PAI scores between the two twins. In the DC and UMC groups, PAI scores increased throughout pregnancy, whilst it didn't for TTTS group. TTTS and DC had a similar prenatal attachment while MC mothers expressed a significantly higher attachment to their fetuses and expressed it earlier. At the announcement of TTTS, 72% of the patients present a score over the threshold at the EPDS Scale, with a higher score for TTTS than for DC (p = 0.005), and UMC (p = 0.007) at the same GA. 30% of mothers in TTTS group have PTSD during pregnancy. 50% of TTTS- patients present an anxiety score over the threshold (STAI-Scale), with a score significantly higher in TTTS than in UMC (p<0.001) or DC (p<0.001). The proportion of subject with a STAI-State over the threshold is also significantly higher in TTTS than in DC at 20 GW (p = 0.01) and at 26 GW (p<0.05). The STAI-state scores in UMC and DC increase progressively during pregnancy while they decrease significantly in TTTS. TTTS announcement constitutes a traumatic event during a pregnancy with an important risk of PTSD, high level of anxiety and an alteration of the prenatal attachment. These results should guide the psychological support provided to these patients.