Eftichia Kontopoulos

Sequential selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels in twin–twin transfusion syndrome

Objective. We have previously described the selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels (SLPCV) technique for the treatment of twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Because TTTS is thought to result from a net transfer of blood from the donor twin to the recipient twin, we hypothesized that lasering the arteriovenous anastomoses from the donor to the recipient (AVDRs) first (sequential SLPCV or SQLPCV) would result in an improved hemodynamic status and decreased likelihood of intrauterine fetal demise of the donor twin (IUFD-D). Materials and methods. The diagnosis of TTTS was made by ultrasound showing the combined presence of a maximum vertical pocket ≥ 8 cm in one sac and ≤2 cm in the other in a monochorionic/diamniotic twin pregnancy. Triplet pregnancies and monoamniotic pregnancies were excluded. Severity of TTTS was assessed using the Quintero staging system. All vascular anastomoses were endoscopically identified and classified as AVDR (AV from donor to recipient), AVRD (AV from recipient to donor), arterio-arterial (AA), or veno-venous (VV). The surgical procedure was coded as SQLPCV if all AVDRs were lasered first. Outcome measures included intrauterine fetal demise and perinatal survival. Results. One hundred and ninety-three TTTS patients (137 SQLPCV, 56 SLPCV) underwent surgery from May 2003 to August 2005. Gestational age at surgery or at delivery, Stage, patent anastomoses, or persistent/reverse TTTS were not different between the groups. IUFD-D was significantly lower in the SQLPCV than in the SLPCV group (7.3% vs 21.4%, respectively, p = 0.005). Dual perinatal survival was significantly higher in the SQLPCV than in the SLPCV group (73.7% vs 57.1%, respectively, p = 0.02), although the incidence of at least one survivor was not different between the groups (90.5% vs 87.5%, respectively). Logistic regression showed SQLPCV, but not placental location, operating time or number of anastomoses to be significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of IUFD-D (p = 0.007). Conclusion. SQLPCV is associated with a decreased likelihood of IUFD-D and an increased rate of dual survivors compared to SLPCV. SQLPCV represents both an anatomical and functional surgical approach to the laser treatment of twin–twin transfusion syndrome.

Stage-based outcomes of 682 consecutive cases of twin–twin transfusion syndrome treated with laser surgery: the USFetus experience

OBJECTIVE We sought to describe stage-specific perinatal outcomes after selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels (SLPCV) for twin-twin transfusion syndrome. STUDY DESIGN Patients with twin-twin transfusion syndrome underwent SLPCV preferentially using sequential vs standard laser technique. Patient characteristics and outcome data were examined by Quintero stage. RESULTS Of 682 consecutive women studied, the Quintero stage distribution was: 114 stage I (17%), 177 stage II (26%), 328 stage III (48%), and 63 stage IV (9%). Perinatal survival of at least 1 twin did not differ according to stage (I-92%, II-93%, III-88%, IV-92%; P = .30). However, dual twin survival differed by stage (I-79%, II-76%, III-59%, IV-68%; P < .01), primarily because stage III pregnancies were associated with decreased donor twin survival (P < .01). Sequential SLPCV was associated with improved donor survival, independent of stage (odds ratio, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.40; P < .01). CONCLUSION Stage-specific perinatal outcomes after laser therapy may assist physicians in patient counseling and in planning future studies.

Endoscopic surgery for the antenatal treatment of myelomeningocele: the CECAM trial

BACKGROUND A recent randomized clinical trial named Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS trial) showed that prenatal correction of open spina bifida (OSB) via open fetal surgery was associated with improved infant neurological outcomes relative to postnatal repair, but at the expense of increased maternal morbidity. OBJECTIVE We sought to report the final results of our phase I trial (Cirurgia Endoscópica para Correção Antenatal da Meningomielocele [CECAM]) on the feasibility, safety, potential benefits, and side effects of the fetoscopic treatment of OSB using our unique surgical technique. STUDY DESIGN Ten consecutive pregnancies with lumbosacral OSB were enrolled in the study. Surgeries were performed percutaneously under general anesthesia with 3 ports and partial carbon dioxide insufflation. After appropriate surgical positioning of the fetus, the neuroplacode was released with scissors and the skin was undermined to place a biocellulose patch over the lesion. The skin was closed over the patch using a single running stitch. Preoperative, postoperative, and postnatal magnetic resonance imaging were performed to assess hindbrain herniation. Neurodevelopmental evaluation was performed before discharge and at 3, 6, and 12 months. All cases were delivered by cesarean delivery, at which time the uterus was assessed for evidence of thinning or dehiscence. RESULTS The median gestational age at the time of surgery was 27 weeks (range 25-28 weeks). Endoscopic repair was completed in 8 of 10 fetuses. Two cases were unsuccessful due to loss of uterine access. The mean gestational age at birth was 32.4 weeks with a mean latency of 5.6 weeks between surgery and delivery (range 2-8 weeks). There was 1 fetal and 1 neonatal demise, and 1 unsuccessful case underwent postnatal repair. Of the 7 infants available for analysis, complete reversal of hindbrain herniation occurred in 6 of 7 babies. Three babies required ventriculoperitoneal shunting or third ventriculostomy. Functional motor level was the same or better than the anatomical level in 6 of 7 cases. There was no significant maternal morbidity and no evidence of myometrial thinning or dehiscence. However, surgeries were complicated by premature rupture of membrane and prematurity. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that the antenatal treatment of OSB using a fetoscopic approach and our unique surgical technique can result in a watertight seal, reversal of the hindbrain herniation, and better than expected motor function. Our technique differs substantially from the classic repair of OSB used in prior open fetal surgery and fetoscopic studies, in which the dura mater is dissected and the defect is closed in multiple layers. Instead, we use a biocellulose patch placed over the lesion and simple closure of the skin. As such, our technique is an alternative to the current paradigms in the antenatal treatment of OSB. Our clinical outcomes are in line with the results of our extensive prior animal work. Maternal benefits of our approach and technique include minimal morbidity and no myometrial legacy. Current limitations of the approach include potential loss of access, premature rupture of membranes, and attendant prematurity. Phase II trials are needed to prevent these complications and to further assess the risks and benefits of our distinct surgical approach and technique.

Fetoscopic single-layer repair of open spina bifida using a cellulose patch: preliminary clinical experience.

Abstract Objective: To report our preliminary clinical experience in the antenatal correction of open spina bifida (OSB) using a fetoscopic approach and a simplified closure technique. Methods: Four fetuses with lumbar-sacral defects were operated in utero from 25 to 27 weeks. Surgeries were performed percutaneously under general anesthesia using three trocars and partial carbon dioxide insufflation. After dissection of the neural placode, the surrounding skin was closed over a cellulose patch using a single continuous stitch. Results: Surgical closure was successful in three of the four cases. All successful cases showed improvement of the hindbrain herniation and no neonatal neurosurgical repair was required in two cases. Delivery occurred between 31 and 33 weeks, and no fetal or neonatal deaths occurred. Ventriculoperitoneal shunting was not needed in two out of the 3 successful cases. Conclusions: Our preliminary experience suggests that definitive fetoscopic repair of OSB is feasible using our innovative surgical technique. A phase I trial for the fetoscopic correction of OSB with this technique is currently being conducted.

Percutaneous Fetal Sclerotherapy for Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of the Lung

Objectives: Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a rare lesion of the developing fetal lung consisting of increased cell proliferation in the bronchial structures with lack of differentiation of the alveoli. Pregnancies may be at an increased risk for perinatal loss with type III CCAM. The purpose of this paper is to present our experience with the management of complicated types II and III CCAM with a novel technique: percutaneous ultrasound-guided fetal sclerotherapy (FST). Methods: Three patients were referred with type II–III CCAM. Poor prognostic factors included hydrops, severe mediastinal shift, polyhydramnios and early gestational age (<26 weeks). Patients signed an informed consent. FST was performed with percutaneous injection of Ethamolin (ethanolamine oleate) or Polidocanol (aethoxysklerol) under ultrasound guidance using a 22-gauge needle. Results: Resolution of hydrops and of the mass effect was observed in all cases without any complications. All patients were delivered at term. Conclusions: Fetal sclerotherapy is a novel approach to the management of complicated type II–III CCAM. Further studies are indicated to assess the risks and benefits of this innovative technique.

Twin deliveries in the United States over three decades: an age-period-cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Time is an important variable in understanding the recent increase in twin deliveries in the United States. Therefore, this study was designed to estimate the influences of maternal age, period (year) of delivery, and maternal-birth-year cohort on trends in rates of twin deliveries. METHODS: United States natality data were used to assess trends in twin pregnancies resulting in live births. This age-period-cohort analysis included 7, 5-year maternal-age groups (15–19 through 45–49 years), 6 twin delivery periods (1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, and 2000), and 12, 5-year maternal birth cohorts (1926–1930 through 1981–1985). The independent effects of maternal age, twin delivery period, and maternal birth cohort on twin delivery rates for blacks and whites were modeled using Poisson regression techniques. RESULTS: Our study assessed 95,042 blacks and 401,989 whites with twin deliveries. Twin deliveries increased by 46% for blacks and 62% for whites from 1975 to 2000, with the largest increase occurring in the year 2000. For blacks, maternal age had the strongest impact on the increasing twin delivery rates, followed by period of delivery. For whites, the greatest effect was due to period of delivery, followed by maternal birth year cohort and, lastly, maternal age. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm the importance of natures biologic contribution of maternal aging to twin delivery rates, but suggest that recent changes in the environment surrounding pregnancy (nurture) also influence twin delivery rates. The relative contributions of biologic versus environmental influences appear to differ among blacks and whites. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2

The quantitative lung index (QLI): a gestational age- independent sonographic predictor of fetal lung growth

OBJECTIVE We sought to develop a gestational age-independent sonographic parameter to characterize lung growth. STUDY DESIGN Reported descriptors of lung growth, including lung-to-head circumference (HC) ratio (LHR) and observed/expected LHR, were examined. A new index, the quantitative lung index (QLI) was derived using published data on HC and the area of the base of the right lung. RESULTS Neither the LHR nor the observed/expected LHR proved to be gestational age independent. Right lung growth can be expressed using the following formula: QLI = lung area/(HC/10)^2. The 50th percentile of the QLI remained constant at approximately 1.0 for the gestational age between 16-32 weeks. A small lung (<1st percentile) was defined as a QLI <0.6. CONCLUSION Fetal right lung growth can be adequately described using the QLI, independent of gestational age. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical accuracy of the QLI in characterizing fetal right lung growth.

MIDGUT VOLVULUS CAUSING FETAL DEMISE IN UTERO

Intestinal malrotation has an incidence of 1 per 6000 live births. The most serious consequence of malrotation is volvulus. Midgut volvulus is a rare condition in which the small bowel and proximal colon twist around the superior mesenteric artery, leading to a high-grade proximal bowel obstruction and vascular compromise of the intestine, thereby leading to infarction of the involved intestine. Midgut volvulus rarely occcurs antenatally and is usually not lethal in utero. There are only 7 cases of intrauterine fetal demise caused by midgut volvulus reported in the literature. We report a case of intrauterine fetal demise at 38 weeks of gestation, due to cardiovascular failure and shock from midgut volvulus. Non-specific abnormalities, including ascites and dilated bowel, had been seen on the antenatal ultrasound from the 15th week of gestation. In addition to the volvulus, the fetus had intestinal atresia and arthrogryphosis.

Percent absent end‐diastolic velocity in the umbilical artery waveform as a predictor of intrauterine fetal demise of the donor twin after selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels in twin–twin transfusion syndrome

Absent end‐diastolic velocity (AEDV) in the umbilical artery of the donor twin is a known risk factor for intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) of this fetus after selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels (SLPCV) for twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). The aim of this study was to assess the proportion of time, expressed as a percentage, of the cardiac cycle spent in AEDV (%AEDV) as a predictor of IUFD of the donor.

Trocar-assisted selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels: A technique for the laser treatment of patients with twin–twin transfusion syndrome with inaccessible anterior placentas

Objective. To describe a new technique, trocar-assisted selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels (TA-SLPCV), for patients with twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) with inaccessible anterior placentas. Materials and methods. TA-SLPCV was performed through a single port in TTTS patients with an anterior placenta in whom the anastomoses were inaccessible with a standard technique (inaccessible anterior placentas). The anastomoses were first identified using a 25 or 70-degree rigid diagnostic endoscope. The anastomoses were then targeted with a zero-degree operating rigid endoscope by withdrawing it within the sheath a short distance and using the sheath to gently indent the placenta (trocar assistance). The technique was compared with patients with a posterior placenta treated with a standard technique. Surgeries were approved by the Institutional Review Boards and all patients signed informed consent. Results. Of 267 patients who met the criteria for the study, 143 (53.6%) had an anterior placenta and 124 (46.4%) had a posterior placenta. Perinatal survival (88.1% vs. 91.9%, p = 0.3), residual patent anastomoses (4.3% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.6), or premature rupture of membranes within 3 weeks of the procedure (7.7% vs. 4%, p = 0.2), was no different relative to placental location (anterior vs. posterior, respectively). Operating time was significantly different between the groups (median 46 min vs. 36 min, p < 0.05). Conclusion. Trocar assistance allows treatment of TTTS patients with inaccessible anterior placentas using a single port and a rigid endoscope with similar results as patients with a posterior placenta and a standard technique.