Management of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), also called twin oligoamnios polyhydramnios sequence (TOPS) complicates around 15% of monochorionic pregnancies irrespective of the mode of conception Error! Bookmark not defined. It is a hemodynamic, and probably hormonal, discordance secondary to imbalanced blood flows through the vascular anastomoses aforementioned. During the last 15 years, a lot of progress has been made in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of TTTS. Nevertheless, many questions remain unanswered and research is still active in this domain. Fetoscopic laser coagulation of placental vessels is the only treatment addressing the pathophysiology of the syndrome as proven through a randomized controlled study against amnioreduction. This technique has definitely improved overall survival as well as the rate of neurologically intact survival but it still lacks preoperative prognostic markers. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.