title: First trimester transabdominal chorionic villus sampling--does the needle matter?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare first-trimester transabdominal chorionic villus samples (TA-CVS) when obtained by 20-gauge amniocentesis versus lancet needles.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study of all women with viable singleton pregnancies undergoing TA-CVS from 01/01/2009 to 03/31/2011. All CVS were performed by a single operator using a freehand technique and amniocentesis needles from 01/01/2009 to 08/31/2010 and lancet needles from 09/01/2010 to 03/31/2011. All samples were processed by the same laboratory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences between groups regarding maternal age, weight, gestational age at CVS, indication for CVS, uterine position, or placental location. Lancet needles were associated with significantly larger samples (median 18 [range 3-40] versus 7 [range 1-33] mg, p < 0.0001), more successful in situ hybridization (96% versus 74.2%, p = 0.03), and faster result reporting (median 7 [range 5-12] versus 9 [range 6-26] days, p = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Needle type may be clinically important when selecting 20-gauge TA-CVS needles.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wax
authors.forename: Angelina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cartin
authors.forename: Renée
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chard
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pinette
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015193:Chorionic Villi Sampling / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012189:Retrospective Studies