Transvaginal fetoscopy in anterior placentas.
When the placenta is located anteriorly, fetoscopy by the abdominal route may be impracticable. An alternative route, i.e., insertion of the fetoscope through the anterior vaginal fornix, was used in 31 women in midpregancy. Twenty-six of the women had been admitted for therapeutic abortion; the remaining five, for diagnosis. The insertion of the instrument was uncomplicated in all 31 women. In three of the five diagnostic cases, the disease at risk was excluded. The three women continued their pregnancies, and two of them went on to term without complications. The third woman had intermittent leakage of amniotic fluid. At 33 weeks she was delivered of a normal infant (birthweight 2 150 g). Transvaginal fetoscopy may be considered when an anterior placenta has an extension so broad that the abdominal approach is unfeasible.
D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D005332:Fetoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*