What is TTS surgery?
TTTS laser surgery is performed to seal off the abnormal blood vessel connections, stop the harmful sharing of fluids and correct or prevent complications. In the most severe cases of twin-twin transfusion, the survival rate can be as low as 10 to 15% if left untreated.
How is TTTS surgery done?
Fetoscopy is a procedure where a small instrument (laparoscope) is inserted into the uterus in order to see the fetus and placenta. Fetoscopic laser surgery offers the best chance of curing twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) or twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS) in a single treatment procedure.
What is the survival rate of TTTS?
The majority of TTTS twins who have appropriate treatment during pregnancy will survive and the majority of survivors will be normal and healthy. If untreated, the survival rate for TTTS twins is approximately 10 to 15 percent. Once TTTS babies are born, blood supply sharing is no longer a factor.
Who performs TTTS surgery?
Children’s Hospital is one of a handful of hospitals worldwide that performs fetoscopic laser ablation for TTTS. Our team has cared for a very high volume of patients diagnosed with TTTS, and has a great deal of experience performing TTTS surgery.
Why does TTTS happen?
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a rare pregnancy condition affecting identical twins or other multiples. TTTS occurs in pregnancies where twins share one placenta (afterbirth) and a network of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients essential for development in the womb.
How long does TTTS surgery take?
Laser photocoagulation is an in utero surgical treatment for TTTS. The surgery is done in an operating room using spinal anesthesia, and typically takes 30-to-60 minutes. The procedure involves placing a very thin camera, called a fetoscope, into the uterus through a tiny 2-3mm incision in the skin.
How serious is TTTS?
Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a rare yet serious condition, requiring fetal intervention to prevent loss of one or both fetuses. Mayo Clinic is one of a handful of medical centers treating this condition nationwide.
Which twin dies in TTTS?
One twin — the donor twin — gives away more blood than it receives in return and runs the risk of malnourishment and organ failure. The recipient twin receives too much blood and is susceptible to overwork of the heart and other cardiac complications.
What is the most common procedure to treat twin to twin syndrome?
In complicated cases of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), minimally invasive surgery can offer the best chance of having two healthy babies. This surgery, known as endoscopic laser ablation, is performed in utero and can correct the blood-sharing imbalance caused by TTTS.
How do you avoid twin to twin transfusion?
Laser treatment: The best option we have You are basically separating the babies’ blood flows from each other. According to Rand, with early detection and the laser ablation, there is a 65 percent chance of having two surviving babies and an 85 percent chance that one of the twins survives.
How do doctors assess the severity of TTTS?
Doctors can assess the severity of each case of TTTS using the Quintero staging system. Quintero stages I and II represent progressive stages of blood volume imbalance, while stages III and IV indicate progressive stages of cardiovascular dysfunction. Stage V refers to the death of one or both twins.
What is tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS)?
Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) causes numbness, pain or a tingling sensation in the foot. It occurs when a nerve in the ankle is compressed as it passes through a tunnel formed by bones and ligaments.
What are the different types of treatments for TTTS?
The different treatments for TTTS can be classified into those that address the connecting blood vessels in the monochorionic (shared) placenta, those that treat the symptoms, and, sadly, those that reflect a sense of hopelessness on the part of the doctors.
What are the stages of TTTS?
Stages of TTTS. In TTTS, there is a characteristic series of changes that happens in the recipient twin due to the extra blood coming from the donor twin. Stage 1: Polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid) in the recipient sac, oligohydramnios (little or no amniotic fluid) in the donor sac. Stage 2: Donor bladder is not filling and emptying.