Detection of chromosomal abnormalities, congenital abnormalities and transfusion syndrome in twins.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of screening for structural malformations in twins and the outcome of screening for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) among monochorionic twins through a number of ultrasound scans from 12 weeks' gestation.

Methods: Enrolled into this prospective multicenter observational study were women with twin pregnancies diagnosed before 14 + 6 gestational weeks. The monochorionic pregnancies were scanned every second week until 23 weeks in order to rule out early TTTS.

Naturally conceived twins with monochorionic placentation have the highest risk of fetal loss.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the rate of fetal loss in dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies stratified according to zygosity and method of conception.

Methods: In a prospective multicenter observational study women with a twin pregnancy had an ultrasound scan before 14 + 6 weeks' gestation in order to determine chorionicity. The fetal loss rate, the perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates and the frequency of very preterm labor were estimated for the different types of twin.

How to identify twins at low risk of spontaneous preterm delivery.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate transvaginal sonographic assessment of cervical length at 23 weeks as a screening test for spontaneous preterm delivery in order to define a cut-off value that could be used to select twin pregnancies at low risk of spontaneous preterm delivery.

Methods: In a prospective multicenter study of 383 twin pregnancies included before 14 + 6 weeks a cervical scan with measurement of the cervical length was performed at 23 weeks' gestation. The results were blinded for the clinicians if the cervical length was > or = 15 mm.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy causes less sleep disturbance than open abdominal surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine subjective sleep quality before and after laparoscopic vs open abdominal surgery.

Methods: Twelve patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 15 patients undergoing laparotomy were evaluated with the aid of a sleep questionnaire from 4 days before until 4 weeks after surgery.

Results: Following laparoscopic surgery, total sleep time increased during the 1st week after the operation compared with preoperative values (p = 0.