title: Monochorionic triplets complicated by fetofetal transfusion syndrome: a case series and review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare perinatal outcome in monochorionic (MC) triplets with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) versus dichorionic (DC) triplets with TTTS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of all triplets with TTTS treated at our center and all cases reported in the literature between 1990 and 2010. Survival and gestational age at birth of MC and DC triplets were compared and stratified by type of intervention. We excluded triplets with one or more fetal deaths <16 weeks' gestation and those with one or more fetuses with congenital anomalies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MC triplets were affected by TTTS in a total of 27 cases, and overall survival was 51% (38/75 fetuses) compared to 105 DC triplets with a survival of 76% (220/291 fetuses) (p < 0.05). Mean gestational age at birth in MC triplets was 28 weeks, compared to 31 weeks in DC triplets (p < 0.05). Perinatal survival of at least one fetus in MC triplet and DC triplet pregnancies was 70% (19/27) and 91% (96/105) (p < 0.05). In DC triplets, survival after laser therapy was significantly improved compared to expectant management, amniodrainage or selective feticide (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MC triplets with TTTS are at a considerably higher risk for perinatal mortality and preterm birth than DC triplets. The optimal strategy to manage MC triplets with TTTS, including the role of selective feticide and laser therapy of all anastomoses, is still to be established.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. s.h.p.peeters@lumc.nl
authors.forename: Suzanne H P
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.forename: Johanna M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Middeldorp
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lopriore
authors.forename: Frans J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Klumper
authors.forename: Dick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oepkes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010929:Placentation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D059286:Pregnancy, Triplet; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies