Amniotic fluid pressure in both cavities of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: a vote against septostomy.
OBJECTIVE
To report our results of the measurement of the amniotic fluid pressure in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome before and after amniodrainage and the separate measurement in the cavity of the stuck twin and the recipient, respectively, in 2 cases.


METHODS
Six patients with severe TTS underwent therapeutic amniodrainage. Amniotic fluid pressure was obtained before and after reduction of the fluid volume. In 2 of these cases we were able to calculate the pressure separately in both amniotic cavities, the donors (stuck twin) and the recipients.


RESULTS
In all cases of TTS, amniotic pressure was high before and reduced after amniodrainage. The pressure was equal in the donors and in the recipients cavity.


CONCLUSIONS
Amniotic pressure seems to be high in TTS, but equal in both cavities. Therefore, amniotic septostomy is probably of low value, especially if a high-risk monoamniotic situation is artificially created.
Hartung
J
J
Department of Prenatal Medicine, Humboldt-University, Charité Berlin (Campus Mitte), Germany. john.hartun@charite.de
Chaoui
R
R
Bollmann
R
R
D000650:Amnion / Q000601:surgery*; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011312:Pressure