Amniotic fluid pressure in both cavities of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: A vote against septostomy

Objective: To report our results of the measurement of the amniotic fluid p ressure in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome before and after amniodrainage and the separate measurement in the cavity of the stuck twin and the recip ient, respectively, in 2 cases. Method: Six patients with severe TTS underw ent therapeutic amniodrainage. Amniotic fluid pressure was obtained before and after reduction of the fluid volume, In 2 of these cases we were able t o calculate the pressure separately in both amniotic cavities, the donors ( stuck twin) and the recipients. Results: In all cases of TTS, amniotic pres sure was high before and reduced after amniodrainage. The pressure was equa l in the donors and in the recipients cavity. Conclusion: Amniotic pressure seems to be high in TTS, but equal in both cavities. Therefore, amniotic s eptostomy is probably of low value, especially if a high-risk monoamniotic situation is artificially created. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.