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High perinatal survival in monoamniotic twins managed by prophylactic sulindac, intensive ultrasound surveillance, and Cesarean delivery at 32 weeks' gestation
Author(s) -
Pasquini L.,
Wimalasundera R. C.,
Fichera A.,
Barigye O.,
Chappell L.,
Fisk N. M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.3811
Subject(s) - medicine , gestation , obstetrics , amniotic fluid index , amniotic fluid , fetus , gestational age , pregnancy , gynecology , genetics , biology
Objectives Increased perinatal mortality in monoamniotic twin pregnancies is attributed to cord accidents in utero and at delivery. We evaluated the following parameters in monoamniotic pregnancies: (1) the incidence of cord entanglement; (2) the effect of sulindac on amniotic fluid volume and stability of fetal lie; and (3) the perinatal outcome with our current management paradigm. Methods This is a retrospective review of monoamniotic pregnancies of ≥20 weeks' gestation managed with serial ultrasound surveillance, medical amnioreduction and elective Cesarean delivery at 32 weeks' gestation. Mean amniotic fluid index (AFI) and change in AFI in monoamniotic pregnancies managed with oral sulindac was compared with 40 gestation‐matched monochorionic–diamniotic controls. Results Among 44 monoamniotic pregnancies, 20 with two live structurally normal twins at 20 weeks' gestation satisfied the inclusion criteria. All fetuses survived to 28 days postnatally despite early prenatal cord entanglement in all but one case. Whereas AFI remained stable throughout gestation in the controls, the AFI fell in those patients on sulindac from a mean value of 21.0 cm (95% CI, 18.5–23.6 cm) at 20 weeks to a mean of 12.4 cm (95% CI, 10.1–14.6 cm) at 32 weeks (ANOVA P across gestation = 0.001) but mainly remained within normal limits. Fetal lie was stabilized in 11/20 cases in the monoamniotic group compared with 13/40 in the control group ( P < 0.0001). Conclusions Cord entanglement appears unpreventable, as it typically occurs in early pregnancy. Sulindac therapy reduces AFI, leads to more stable fetal lie, and may prevent intrauterine death by diminishing the risk of constricting cords that are already entangled. Perinatal survival in monoamniotic pregnancies managed by a regime of sulindac from 20 weeks' gestation, close ultrasound surveillance and elective abdominal delivery at 32 weeks' gestation seems empirically higher than that in the literature. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.