Selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels in severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome in women with an anterior placenta.

BACKGROUND

We describe two techniques for the laser treatment of twin-twin transfusion syndrome in women with anterior placentas.

TECHNIQUE: In the first technique, anastomoses were photocoagulated using a flexible endoscope through a single port. The second technique used a side-firing laser fiber with a rigid angled-view endoscope (two ports).

EXPERIENCE: Seventy-two women had surgery between July 1997 and December 1999, 35 (48.6%) of whom had anterior placentas. Survival was similar for fetuses with anterior (80%) and posterior (75.6%) placentas, but operating time was significantly longer for those with anterior placentas (81.1 compared with 64.4 minutes for the anterior and posterior placentas, respectively; P = .02, Student t test). At least one fetus survived in 76% (16 of 21) of women treated with flexible endoscopes and 86% (12 of 14) of those treated with the side-firing lasers. Six of 72 women (8.3%) had patent vascular anastomoses on placental examination, and five of them had anterior placentas (P = .08, Fisher exact test).

CONCLUSION

Although anterior placentas are surgically more challenging than posterior placentas, both techniques allow an effective percutaneous approach to the laser treatment of twin-twin transfusion syndrome.