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 pressure in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome before and after amniodrainage and the separate measurement in the cavity of the stuck twin and the recipient, respectively, in 2 cases.
Method: Six patients with severe TTS underwent therapeutic amniodrainage. Amniotic fluid pressure was obtained before and after reduction of the fluid volume. In 2 of these cases we were able to calculate the pressure separately in both amniotic cavities, the donors (stuck twin) and the recipients.
Results: In all cases of TTS, amniotic pressure was high before and reduced after amniodrainage. The pressure was equal in the donors and in the recipients cavity.
Conclusion: Amniotic pressure seems to be high in TTS, but equal in both cavities. Therefore, amniotic septostomy is probably of low value, especially if a high-risk monoamniotic situation is artificially created.
(Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.)