Influence of indications on perinatal outcomes after radio frequency ablation in complicated monochorionic pregnancies: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is recommended to prevent potential neurological injury or intrauterine foetal death (IUFD) of the co-twin(s) in complicated monochorionic (MC) pregnancies. However, the impacts of various indications on the pregnancy outcome following RFA remain unclear. This study aimed to determine how the indications influence the perinatal outcomes in complicated MC pregnancies undergoing radiofrequency ablation. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study performed in a single centre. All consecutive MC pregnancies treated with RFA between July 2011 and July 2019 were included. The adverse perinatal outcomes and the survival rate were analysed based on various indications. The continuous variables with and without normal distribution were compared between the groups using Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test, respectively, and for categorical variables, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used. P < 0.05 indicated a significant difference. RESULTS: We performed 272 RFA procedures in 268 complicated MC pregnancies, including 60 selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR), 64 twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), 12 twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence (TRAPs), 66 foetal anomaly and 66 elective foetal reduction (EFR) cases. The overall survival rate of the co-twin was 201/272 (73.9%). The overall technical successful rate was determined at 201/263 (76.7%). The IUFD rate in the co-twin was 20/272 (7.4%). The TTTS group had recorded the lowest survival rate (37/64, 57. 8%), and the survival rate was significantly correlated with Quintero stages (P = 0.029). Moreover, the sIUGR III subgroup had a lower survival rate compared with sIUGR II (55.6%, versus 84.3%). The subgroup of foetal anomaly of gastroschisis or exomphalos had the highest IUFD rate (4/10, 40%), followed by sIUGR III (2/9, 22.2%) and dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) subgroup (8/46, 17.9%). In EFR group, eight IUFD cases were all coming from the DCTA subgroup and received RFA before 17 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The perinatal outcome of RFA was correlated with the indications, with the lowest survival rate in TTTS IV and the highest IUFD incidence in abdominal wall defect followed by sIUGR III. Elective RFA after 17 weeks may prevent IUFD in DCTA pregnancies.

Intrafetal laser for midtrimester TRAP sequence-experience from a single center.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience and evaluate outcomes in monochorionic pregnancies with Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion sequence with intrafetal laser therapy. METHODS: Retrospective review of records of all pregnancies with TRAP sequence treated by intrafetal laser therapy between 2011 January and 2015 December that were retrieved and analysed. RESULTS: Electronic search of the scan database retrieved 57 cases of TRAP sequence during the study period, 7 triplets and 50 monochorionic twins. Intrafetal laser was done in 27 cases, 22 cases of twins and 5 cases of triplets. In the twins group, median gestational age at intervention was 22.5 weeks, the earliest done at 16.3 weeks. The median gestational age at delivery and birth weight was 37 weeks and 2.5 Kgs. The median procedure and delivery interval was 14 weeks. Live birth rate was 17/22 (77%) the pump survival rate was 16/22 (73%). Pregnancies with non-surviving pump were 5 in numbers (5/22). A repeat procedure was warranted in one case. In the triplet group, median gestational age at intervention, delivery and procedure delivery interval was 18, 35 and 17 weeks. CONCLUSION: Intrafetal laser is simple, effective and the treatment of choice to interrupt the vascular supply to acardiac twin.

Incidence and Causes of Intentional Fetal or Neonatal Demise in Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence and causes of intentional fetal and neonatal demise in twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: All TTTS pregnancies managed at our centre between 2000 and 2014 were included. We evaluated incidence and causes of intentional fetal/neonatal demise, defined as termination of pregnancy, selective fetal reduction, or withdrawal of neonatal intensive care. RESULTS: Intentional fetal/neonatal demise occurred in 9.8% (110/1,122) of fetuses and was due to termination of pregnancy (2.2%), selective fetal reduction (4.2%), or withdrawal of neonatal intensive care (3.4%). Reasons for termination of pregnancy included complications of laser treatment (72.0%), severe fetal anomaly (20.0%), and unwanted pregnancy (8.0%). Reasons for selective fetal reduction were technical difficulties to perform laser surgery (51.1%), fetal complications (38.3%), and parental preference for fetal reduction rather than laser treatment (10.6%). Reasons for withdrawal of neonatal intensive care treatment were severe cerebral injury (47.4%), severe pulmonary complications (15.8%), birth asphyxia (5.3%), multiple complications of TTTS and/or prematurity combined (21.1%), or other (10.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Intentional fetal or neonatal demise in TTTS occurs frequently and is often due to complications after laser surgery and/or severe (cerebral) injury in affected fetuses or neonates.

Systematic review and metaanalysis of perinatal outcomes after radiofrequency ablation and bipolar cord occlusion in monochorionic pregnancies.

The aim of this study was to analyze perinatal outcomes after selective reduction in monochorionic pregnancies with the use of either radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or bipolar cord occlusion (BCO). This was a systematic review and metaanalysis that included all studies with ≥5 cases that described perinatal outcomes after BCO or RFA that were identified in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, COCHRANE, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, Science Direct, and MEDLINE that were published between 1965 and July 2014. For count data, incidence risk ratios (IRR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) were calculated with BCO as the reference standard. The analysis included 481 cases of BCO and 320 cases of RFA from 17 studies. The mean median gestations at procedure were 21.1 ± 1.2 weeks (BCO) and 18.8 ± 2.5 weeks (RFA; P = .03). The rate of cotwin death was higher in the RFA group (14.7%) vs the BCO group (10.6%; IRR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.93-2.05; P = .11). The live birth rate was 81.3% for the RFA group and 86.7% in the BCO group (IRR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.80-1.09; P = .41). BCO had higher neonatal death rates (8.1%) vs RFA (4.5%; IRR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.30-1.04; P = .07). Overall survival was 76.8% for RFA and 79.1% for BCO (IRR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.82-1.14; P = .72); however, none of these differences were statistically significant. Preterm premature rupture of membranes occurred in 17.7% of RFA cases and 28.2% of the BCO cases (IRR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.43-0.91; P = .01). The mean median gestational age at delivery was 34.7 ± 1.7 weeks in the RFA group and 35.1 ± 1.6 weeks in the BCO group. Our data do not demonstrate clearly the superiority of 1 procedure over the other. The clinical situation and preference of the operator are important considerations. Rates of preterm delivery and preterm premature rupture of membranes remain substantial for both procedures.

Perinatal outcome after selective feticide in monochorionic twin pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of adverse perinatal outcome in complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies treated with selective feticide. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from a consecutive, national cohort. All monochorionic twin pregnancies treated with selective feticide at Leiden University Medical Center between June 2000 and November 2011 were included. Obstetric and neonatal data were recorded. The primary outcome measure was adverse perinatal outcome, including fetal or neonatal demise or severe neonatal morbidity. RESULTS: Data on perinatal outcome were obtained in all cases (n = 131). Overall perinatal survival rate was 67.2% (88/131). Median gestational age at delivery was 34 (interquartile range, 23-38) weeks. Neonatal mortality and morbidity rate in liveborn children was 4.3% (4/92) and 12.0 % (11/92), respectively. Severe cerebral injury was detected in three children. The overall incidence of adverse perinatal outcome was 41.2% (54/131). Median gestational age at occurrence of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) was 19.0 weeks and 32.0 weeks in cases with and without adverse perinatal outcome, respectively (P = 0.017). Liveborn children with adverse perinatal outcome were born at a lower median gestational age (29.0 weeks) than were children without adverse perinatal outcome (38.0 weeks) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of adverse perinatal outcome after selective feticide is high and associated with low gestational age at occurrence of PPROM and low gestational age at delivery. Long-term follow-up to assess neurodevelopmental outcome in survivors is required.

Trichorionic triplet pregnancies at 10-14 weeks: outcome after embryo reduction compared to expectant management.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of trichorionic triplet pregnancies managed expectantly with those reduced to twins or singletons. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of trichorionic triplet pregnancies with three live fetuses at 10-14 (median 12) weeks' gestation referred to our unit for consideration of embryo reduction. Women were counselled as to the available options of either expectant management or embryo reduction. In those choosing reduction, a needle was inserted into the uterus transabdominally and potassium chloride was injected into the fetal heart. Using data derived from this study and from a review of studies reporting on survival and handicap by gestational age in singletons, the effects of embryo reduction on survival and handicap rates were estimated. Main outcome measures were miscarriage before 24 weeks of gestation, preterm delivery before 32 weeks, perinatal death and handicap rates. RESULTS: In total, there were 280 trichorionic triplet pregnancies and 125 of these were managed expectantly, 133 were reduced to two fetuses and 22 were reduced to one fetus. The rates of miscarriage were 3.2% for those managed expectantly, 8.3% for those reduced to twins and 13.6% for those reduced to singletons. The rates of early preterm delivery in those pregnancies that did not miscarry were 23.1%, 9.8% and 5.3%, respectively. The percentages for pregnancies with at least one survivor were 95.2%, 91.0% and 81.8%, respectively, and the median gestation at delivery was 34 weeks for the non-reduced, 36 weeks for those reduced to twins and 38 weeks for those reduced to singletons. From the published series on early preterm delivery, it was estimated that survival increases from about 27% at 24 weeks to about 98% at 32 weeks, and handicap decreases from 28% at 24 weeks to less than 5% at 32 weeks. From these estimates and the data on triplet pregnancies, it was calculated that, in triplets reduced to twins, compared to those managed expectantly, the chance of survival is similar (90.3% compared to 93.3%), but the risk of handicap may be lower (0.6% compared to 1.5% per fetus). CONCLUSIONS: In trichorionic triplet pregnancies, embryo reduction to twins does not improve the chance of survival but may reduce the rate of handicap. Reduction from triplets to singletons may reduce both the survival rate and the handicap rate among survivors.

Manejo conservador de embarazo gemelar complicado con muerte intrauterina de un feto. Informe de un caso / Conservative management of twin pregnancy with the intrauterine death. A case report

Antecedentes: El embarazo gemelar con muerte fetal intrauterina de uno de los productos se presenta con una frecuencia de 0.54-6.8 por ciento y se puede dar el manejo conservador al feto vivo llevándolo al término del embarazo. Objetivo: Presentar un caso de un embarazo gemelar con muerte intrauterina de uno de los productos en la semana 27 de getación, decidiendo dar manejo conservador del producto vivo hasta la semana 37 obteniendo producto femenino vivo, con peso de 3000 g, APGAR 8-9 y sin malfornaciones aparentes y con un seguimiento hasta 24 meses. Conclusión: Se concluye, que la muerte intrauterina de uno de los gemelos, con vigilancia estrecha puede dar buenos resultados perinatales para el feto sobreviviente