Fetoscopic laser therapy for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
Nahla Khalek1, Mark P Johnson, Michael W Bebbington
1The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. khalekn@email.chop.edu
Abstract:
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a unique and complicated phenomenon occurring in 10-15% of monochorionic gestations. The chronic unbalanced distribution of blood volume across placental anastomoses between the donor and recipient fetuses leads to multisystem organ impairment including maladaptive changes in both fetuses. Fetoscopic selective laser photocoagulation (SLPC) is now established as the primary treatment modality for advanced stages of TTTS. SLPC is also associated with a risk reduction in fetal demise and long-term neurological impairment.
