Successful use of fetoscopic laser surgery as treatment for a monochorionic-triamniotic triplet pregnancy complicated by twin-reversed arterial perfusion sequence and severe selective fetal growth restriction: A case report

J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2019 Aug;45(8):1584-1587. doi: 10.1111/jog.13994. Epub 2019 May 7.

Abstract

Monochorionic triplet pregnancy is a rare condition, and twin-reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence and severe selective fetal growth restriction (FGR) are associated with high perinatal morbidity and mortality rates. We report a case of TRAP sequence and selective FGR typeIIconcurrently complicating a monochorionic triplet pregnancy. Fetoscopic laser surgery (FLS) was performed at 16 + 1 weeks of gestation and was technically successful. Inter-fetus placental anastomoses were coagulated. The pregnancy continued until 28 + 4 weeks of gestation, when the patient presented with preterm rupture of membranes and preterm labor. Two live female newborns were delivered by a cesarean section, and their postnatal course of the neonates was uneventful and in accordance with their gestational age at birth. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of FLS resulting in favorable outcomes for a monochorionic triplet pregnancy concurrently complicated with TRAP sequence and selective FGR type II.

Keywords: fetoscopic laser surgery; monochorionic triplet pregnancy; selective fetal growth restriction; twin-reversed arterial perfusion sequence.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / diagnostic imaging
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / surgery*
  • Fetofetal Transfusion / diagnostic imaging
  • Fetofetal Transfusion / surgery*
  • Fetoscopy / methods*
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Laser Therapy / methods*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Pregnancy, Triplet*
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal