Transabdominal chorionic villus sampling. Clinical experience of 1159 cases

The efficacy and risks of transabdominal free-hand ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration technique were evaluated in 1159 pregnancies submitted to chorionic villus sampling (CVS) in the first trimester and early in the second trimester. An adequate amount of chorionic tissue was obtained by two needle insertions in 99.7 per cent of cases, and a second tapping was needed in 3.5 per cent of cases. A local peritoneal reaction was the only early complication clearly related to the procedure, and it occurred in 0.3 per cent of cases without any adverse effect on the maternal and fetal outcome. The correct abortion rate in 716 consecutive concluded pregnancies was 2.4 per cent, while the rate of late obstetrical complications and perinatal mortality and morbidity compares favourably with the rates in the general population. Because of its simplicity and practicability, transabdominal aspiration is the procedure of choice and is especially recommended for intensive CVS routine conditions.