title: Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation in the management of twin-twin transfusion syndrome: local experience from Hong Kong.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the perinatal outcome of monochorionic twin pregnancies treated by fetoscopic laser coagulation for twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university teaching hospital in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty consecutive cases of fetoscopic laser coagulation of placental anastomoses for twin-twin transfusion syndrome performed in a single centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Operative complications and perinatal survival rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median gestational age at initial presentation, laser photocoagulation, and delivery were 22 (range, 16-27) weeks, 23 (18-28) weeks, and 32 (21-37) weeks, respectively. To improve the visualisation, in three cases amnio-exchange was undertaken; the procedure was abandoned in two due to poor visualisation. The overall fetal survival rate, the double infant survival rate, and survival rate for at least one twin were 72% (43/60), 60% (18/30), and 83% (25/30), respectively. The most common peri-operative complication was bleeding from the uterine wall into the amniotic cavity, which affected three (10%) patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results of fetoscopic laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome were similar to those in specialised centres in other countries.
authors.affiliation: Prenatal Diagnostic Centre, Guangzhou Obstetrics and Neonatal Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: T Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Warwick D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Ngan Kee
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000601:surgery*; D005332:Fetoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006723:Hong Kong; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology