Intra-amniotic pressure reduction in twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to measure intra-amniotic pressure before and after decompression amniocentesis in twin-twin transfusion syndrome.


METHODS
Intra-amniotic pressures were measured during decompression amniocentesis on 18 occasions in 5 pregnancies complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome. The intra-amniotic pressure was determined with a water manometer before and after removal of amniotic fluid. For comparison, intra-amniotic pressure was determined in 10 uncomplicated gestations.


RESULTS
Initial intra-amniotic pressures in twin-twin transfusion gestations (mean, 17.2 +/- 5.2 cm H2O; range, 5.5 to 33.0 cm H2O) were higher than those of the uncomplicated gestations (mean, 8.4 +/- 3.3 cm H2O; range, 3.5 to 13.5 cm H2O; p < 0.002). Intra-amniotic pressures following therapeutic amniocentesis (mean, 10.9 +/- 5.1 cm H2O; range, 3.5 to 23.0 cm H2O) were not different from those of the uncomplicated gestations (p = 0.16).


CONCLUSIONS
The intra-amniotic pressure in twin-twin transfusion gestations is higher than that of the uncomplicated gestation. Decompression amniocentesis reduces intra-amniotic pressure to that of the uncomplicated gestation.
Garry
D
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Medical College, Westchester County Medical Center, Valhalla, USA.
Lysikiewicz
A
A
Mays
J
J
Canterino
J
J
Tejani
N
N
D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011312:Pressure