Fetal survival immediate after fetoscopic laser ablation in twin to twin transfusion syndrome

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine prognostic factors that can affect the fetal survival immediate after fetoscopic laser ablation. Methods: The study population consisted of consecutive twin pregnant women who underwent fetoscopic laser ablation with the diagnosis of twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) from 2011 to 2018 in Seoul National University Hospital. Fetal survival immediate after procedure was defined as survival to 48 hours after procedure and neonatal survival was defined as survival to 28 days of life. Clinical characteristics and ultrasound findings were compared according to the fetal survival immediate after procedure. Results: A total of 57 pregnant women with TTTS were included, and the overall fetal survival immediate after procedure was 71.1% (81/114) after fetoscopic laser ablation. Fetuses who survived immediate after procedure had higher gestational age at procedure and lower frequency of abnormal Doppler studies than those did not survive. However, the frequency of hydrops was not different between cases with fetal survival and those with fetal death. The earlier gestational age at procedure and the presence of abnormal Doppler studies were significant risk factors for fetal death even after adjustment. Conclusion: Based on this data, the fetal survival immediate after procedure (fetoscopic laser treatment) in TTTS can be affected by the gestational age at procedure and the presence of abnormal Doppler studies.