Perinatal survival following preferential sequential selective laser  surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To describe our experience with preferential use of sequential selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels (SQLPCV) in women with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).


METHODS
Women with TTTS received treatment using the SQLPCV technique whenever possible. SQLPCV mandates ablation of all donor-to-recipient arteriovenous communications first, in comparison to the standard non-sequential selective technique.


RESULTS
Of 99 consecutive women treated, 64 received SQLPCV. Overall survival of one or both twins was 91% and dual survival was 72%. Higher dual survival rates (80 vs. 57%, p=0.0317) and donor survival rates (83 vs. 63%, p=0.0489) were noted in the SQLPCV group. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that the SQLPCV technique was highly associated with dual survivorship (OR=4.64 [1.57-13.74], p=0.0056), when controlling for gestational age at surgery, duration of laser treatment and number of anastomoses lasered. Neither Quintero stage, placental location, preoperative discordance prior to surgery, nor preoperative cervical length contributed to this equation. The SQLPCV technique was also associated with donor survivorship (OR=4.43 [1.44-13.67], p=0.0095), when controlling for the same covariates.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of TTTS via SQLPCV technique was associated with higher dual survival and donor twin survival rates as compared to standard SLPCV.
Chmait
Ramen H
RH
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90027, USA. chmait@usc.edu
Khan
Amer
A
Benirschke
Kurt
K
Miller
David
D
Korst
Lisa M
LM
Goodwin
Thomas M
TM
D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016015:Logistic Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014310:Triplets; D014427:Twins