The impact of laser surgery on angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in twin-twin transfusion syndrome: a prospective study.

Objective: To examine the effect of laser surgery on angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in patients with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

Methods: Cases of TTTS and uncomplicated monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies between 16 and 26 weeks' gestation were prospectively enrolled into the study. Maternal blood samples were obtained to measure angiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor-A [VEGF], placental-derived growth factor [PlGF], and endothelin) and anti-angiogenic factors (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1), soluble endoglin (sEng), and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio).

Are patients with twin-twin transfusion syndrome and a very short cervix candidates for laser surgery?

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between cervical length (CL) and perinatal outcomes in cases of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) treated with laser surgery and to assess whether patients with a very short cervix (0.5-1.9 cm) are appropriate candidates for laser surgery.