Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Accurate and Simple Evaluation of Vascular Anastomoses in Monochorionic Placenta using Colored Dye
Published on: September 5, 2011
Radiofrequency ablation for selective reduction in complicated monochorionic multiple pregnancies
Jing Lu1, Yuen Ha Ting, Kwok Ming Law
1Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Xiamen, Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Xiamen, SAR, China.
Objective:
To evaluate the perinatal outcome of monochorionic (MC) multiple pregnancies after selective reduction by radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Methods:
A case series of all MC multiple pregnancies with selective reduction by RFA in one single institution was reviewed.
Results:
Ten consecutive patients with an MC pregnancy (9 pairs of twins and 1 set of triplets) underwent RFA. The median gestational age at the time of the procedure was 15.6 weeks (range, 12.3-19.6). The indications for selective reduction included discordance for fetal anomalies (4 cases), twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence (3 cases), selective intrauterine growth restriction (2 cases) and severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome (1 case). All procedures were technically successful in achieving selective reduction. The overall survival rate of the co-twin was 81.8% (9/11), and the median gestational age at delivery was 35.9 weeks (range, 32.4-38.6). There was one preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation (11.1%). Preterm premature rupture of the membranes occurred in 2 patients (20%); however, this was not observed within 4 weeks postoperatively, nor did they deliver before 32 weeks.
Conclusions:
RFA is a promising technique for selective reduction in complicated MC multiple pregnancies with a high survival rate and low complication rate.
