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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Guide Wire Assisted Catheterization and Colored Dye Injection for Vascular Mapping of Monochorionic Twin Placentas
Published on: September 5, 2011
Complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies: experience with bipolar cord coagulation
U Nicolini1, A Poblete, C Boschetto
11st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ospedale v. Buzzi, University of Milan, Italy.
Objective:
The purpose of the study was to evaluate our experience with ultrasound-guided bipolar diathermy forceps for cord occlusion in complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies.
Study Design:
Seventeen consecutive cases were included: 9 cases were twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome; 2 cases were twin reversed arterial perfusion syndrome, and 6 cases were discordant for fetal abnormality. Bipolar diathermy was performed under local anesthetic with the use of 3-mm forceps with ultrasound guidance.
Results:
Cord occlusion was successfully accomplished in all cases between 18 and 27 weeks' gestation. There were 2 deaths of the co-twin within 12 hours; 1 death was due to cord hemorrhage, and 1 death was unexplained. One neonatal death occurred after delivery at 27 weeks, and 1 woman with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome elected termination of pregnancy when hydrocephaly was diagnosed 7 days after the procedure (probably related to the underlying pathologic condition). All other co-twins are alive and well, although 2 pregnancies were complicated by preterm delivery and premature rupture of membranes before 30 weeks' gestation.
Conclusion:
Bipolar diathermy is an effective procedure for cord occlusion, although it still has significant morbidity and mortality rates.
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