title: Minimally invasive treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
abstract: Selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels (SLPCV) is an application of minimally invasive endoscopic fetal surgery (i.e., surgical fetoscopy) performed for severe cases of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a complication of monochorionic twin pregnancies. Advances in ultrasound and endoscopy have aided the identification and treatment of this potentially lethal or fatal condition. Surgical fetoscopy, an innovation in the field of surgery and maternal-fetal medicine, benefits patients by reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with TTTS, with minimal risks to the mother.
authors.affiliation: St Joseph's Women's Hospital, Tampa, Fla., USA.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Garabelis
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Bornick
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Quintero
mesh_terms: D000649:Amniocentesis; D005260:Female; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005332:Fetoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009871:Operating Room Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal