Failure of amniotic septostomy in the management of 3 subsequent cases of severe previable twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Amniotic septostomy has been described as a method to treat twin-twin transfusion syndrome. A case report of 3 patients treated in this way is described.


METHODS
Three subsequent patients, who presented with twin-twin transfusion syndrome, were treated by amniotic septostomy. All 3 showed initial improvement in the amniotic fluid volume and mobility of the donor fetus. However, all three pregnancies were lost within 5 days of the amniotic septostomy due to ruptured membranes and premature labour.


CONCLUSIONS
In our experience, amniotic septostomy did not improve the pregnancy outcome in twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Possible reasons for this are discussed.
Pistorius
L R
LR
Medfem Clinic, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Howarth
G R
GR
D000650:Amnion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D013513:Obstetric Surgical Procedures; D011247:Pregnancy; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014463:Ultrasonography