选择性减胎术在中期妊娠的应用

目的　探讨选择性减胎术在中期妊娠的应用及其注意事项。　方法　对 19例多胎妊娠孕妇在妊娠 12～ 2 5周行选择性减胎术。其中双胎 6例 ,三胎 11例 ,四胎、六胎各 1例。在超声引导下经腹向胎儿心内或胸腔内注入高浓度的氯化钾。　结果　 6例双胎除 1例单绒毛膜双胎外均获减胎成功 ;11例三胎 ,除 1例减胎后计划生育引产 ,1例单卵三胎外 ,9例中 7例减胎成功 ,2例减胎后流产 ;1例四胎减胎成功 ;1例六胎减胎后流产。　结论　选择性减胎术可成功应用于妊娠中期 ,母亲无严重的并发症 ,但有一定的流产率。如果减胎术前能排除单卵双胎或单卵三胎 ,或能选择近宫底的妊娠囊进行减胎 ,或能将被减胎儿的羊水抽尽 ,或推迟减胎的时间 ,可能会降低流产率。     

Transvaginal ultrasound in selective embryo reduction for multiple pregnancy

Ovulation induction for the treatment of infertility is known to carry the risk of inducing multiple gestations, with attendant high perinatal morbidity and mortality. Selective reduction of the number of fetuses in a multiple gestation to reduce this risk, using transvaginal ultrasound, is a recent technological development. Six patients (three with quadruplets and three with triplets) underwent selective embryo reduction in the first trimester using real-time transvaginal ultrasound. Potassium chloride was used for intrathoracic injection. One of the procedures was complicated by chorioamnionitis 48 hours later, necessitating termination of pregnancy. Transvaginal sonographically directed selective reduction represents an important addition to the management of unplanned multiple pregnancy resulting from infertility treatment. The procedure is not without risks, and these must be weighed against potential benefits.     

Selective embryo reduction of an interstitial heterotopic gestation.

A case of combined interstitial and intrauterine pregnancy is described. The sonographic finding of a thick myometrial bridge separating a twin pregnancy may be unique to heterotopic cornual pregnancies and is illustrated. The method of selective embryo reduction with potassium chloride to terminate the interstitial pregnancy without damage to the intrauterine pregnancy is also described. The intrauterine pregnancy continued successfully to term.     

Cornual heterotopic pregnancy: conservative treatment with transvaginal embryo reduction

Objective The objective was to discuss a case of heterotopic cornual pregnancy managed with transvaginal embryo reduction.Methods A 22-year-old woman with heterotopic cornual pregnancy was treated with ultrasonographically guided transvaginal injection of potassium chloride into the thorax of ectopic fetus.Results Sixteen days after the procedure, the patient presented with pelvic pain and miscarriage ensued. Control examination 1 month and 3 months later revealed normal uterine cavity and partially resorbed ectopic material.Conclusion This minimally invasive approach in a hemodynamically stable patient can be considered in the management of a first trimester heterotopic cornual pregnancy. However the patient must be informed for the risk of abortion related to the procedure. Nevertheless this approach can be a treatment option in cornual pregnancies without a simultaneous intrauterine gestation.     

First-trimester embryo size discordance: a predictor of premature birth following multifetal pregnancy reduction

OBJECTIVE: We have previously reported a correlation between the starting number of embryos for multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) and discordance in size during the first trimester. Here we evaluated the correlation between the degree of discordance and length of gestation in the remaining fetuses. DESIGN: Observational clinical series. SETTING: Academic medical center with a single physician who performs a large number of MFPRs. PATIENT(S): Analysis of 252 consecutive MFPRs from a 2.5-year period (1996-1998). INTERVENTION(S): MFPR for patients with multifetal pregnancies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): We evaluated the correlation between the degree of discordance in embryo size, as measured by the greatest difference in crown-rump length (CRL) (delta max), and the length of gestation. RESULT(S): Embryo size discordance was related to length of gestation of the remaining fetuses after MFPR. Of 72 patients with a delta max >5 mm, the rate of severe premature birth (delivery at <28 weeks' gestation) was 9.7%, compared with 1.7% for patients with a delta max <5 mm (P<.01). Of patients with severe premature birth, 70% had delta max >5 mm, compared with less than 30% in patients who delivered after 28 weeks (P<.05). CONCLUSION(S): Variations in embryo growth patterns in multifetal pregnancies may be observed even in the first trimester, which may be predictive of late pregnancy outcomes. With a delta max > or =5 mm, there is a significant increase in the risk of severe premature birth (delivery at <28 weeks).     

Single embryo transfer and multiple pregnancy rate reduction in IVF/ICSI: a 5-year appraisal

One of the most problematic issues of assisted reproduction is the high incidence of multiple pregnancies, resulting from the transfer of more than one embryo. Particularly at risk are young women who have good quality embryos. The only strategy to reduce the incidence of multiple pregnancies, including twin pregnancies, after assisted reproduction is single embryo transfer (SET). In 1997, the present authors therefore introduced elective SET (eSET) in this particular target group. The proportion of eSET increased from 1.5 (1997-1998) to 17.5% (1999-2002) of all transfers. In 2002, 20% of all transfers were SET. Comparing these two periods, an overall pregnancy rate of 35 and 34% per transfer, respectively, was obtained, while the overall twinning rate dropped from 30 to 21%. The twinning rate dropped to 14% in 2002, and in the eSET group there was only one monozygotic twin. These results demonstrate that a decline in the twinning rate is feasible without a drop in overall pregnancy rates. Comparing eSET with elective double embryo transfer (eDET), it was found that ongoing pregnancy and implantation rates were the same in both groups, but the proportion of twins was clearly different. It was further observed that the mean birthweight of singleton children born after eSET was significantly higher than that after DET. This could reflect a better developmental or implantation potential of these embryos, but this finding remains to be confirmed.     

Selective reduction

Multifetal pregnancy reduction continues to be controversial. Attitudes about MFPR have not, in our experience, followed a simple "pro-choice/pro-life" dichotomy. As far back as the mid to late 1980s, opinions about the subject were varied. Even then, when much less was known about the subject, opinions did not always parallel the usual pro-choice/theological boundaries. We believe that the real debate over the next 5 to 10 years will not be whether or not MFPR should be performed with triplets or more. The fact is that MFPR does improve those outcomes. A serious debate will emerge over whether or not it is appropriate to offer MFPR routinely for twins, even natural ones, for whom the outcome is commonly considered "good enough." Our data suggest that reduction of twins to a singleton improves the outcome of the remaining fetus. No consensus on appropriateness of routine 2-1 reductions is ever likely to emerge. The ethical issues surrounding MFPR will always be controversial. Over the years, much has been written on the subject. Opinions will always vary from outraged condemnation to complete acceptance. No short paragraph could do justice to the subject other than to state that most proponents do not believe this is a frivolous procedure but do believe in the principle of proportionality ie, therapy to achieve the most good for the least harm). Over the past 15 years, MFPR has become a well-established and integral part of infertility therapy and attempts to deal with the sequelae of aggressive infertility management. In the mid 1980s, the risks and benefits of the procedure could only be guessed. We now have clear and precise data on the risks and benefits of the procedure and an understanding that the risks increase substantially with the starting and finishing number of fetuses in multifetal pregnancies. The collaborative loss rate numbers (ie, 4.5% for triplets, 8% for quadruplets. 11% for quintuplets, and 15% for sextuplets or more) seem reasonable to present to patients for the procedure performed by an experienced operator. Our experiences and anecdotal experiences from other groups suggest that less experienced operators have worse outcomes. Pregnancy loss is not the only poor outcome. The other main issue with which to be concerned is very early premature delivery, where there is an increasing rate of poor outcomes correlated with the starting number. The finishing numbers are also critical, with twins having the best outcomes for cases starting with three or more. Triplets and singletons do not do as well. We hope that MFPR will become obsolete as better control of ovulation agents and assisted reproductive technologies make multifetal pregnancies uncommon.     

Selective reduction in multiple gestations: pregnancy outcome after transvaginal and transabdominal needle-guided procedures

Selective fetal reduction was performed in the first trimester of pregnancy in 20 women with multifetal gestations after ovulation induction with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG). In 10 women (group A) reduction was performed transabdominally, and in 10 women (group B) the transvaginal approach was used. The transvaginal technique achieved penetration of several gestational sacs without withdrawing the needle from the uterus. Fetal termination using either procedure occurred with intrafetal injection of potassium chloride. Six (60%, group A) and eight (80%, group B) patients delivered healthy newborns. One patient (group B) is at 30 weeks' gestation. Four (40%, group A) and one (10%, group B) aborted 1 day to 8 weeks after the procedure (1 septic abortion, each group). Our results suggest that transvaginal fetal reduction offers a better outcome, with minimal complications, to patients referred for selective continuation of pregnancy.     

Conservative treatment of cervico-isthmic heterotopic pregnancy by fine needle aspiration for selective embryo reduction

An unusual case of a heterotopic cervico-isthmic pregnancy after IVF treatment occurred in a 34-year-old woman. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration of the gestational sac for embryo reduction was safely used to manage the pregnancy and preserve the intrauterine fetus.     

Reimplantation of a human embryo with subsequent ovarian pregnancy

An ovarian pregnancy followed ovulation induction and in vitro fertilization. The patient had multiple risk factors, including two previous tubal pregnancies, endometriosis, and use of an intrauterine contraceptive device.     

Thawed embryo transfer and ectopic pregnancy: a meta-analysis

Purpose

To examine whether thawed embryo transfers can reduce the rate of EP.

Methods

The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases and two randomized controlled trials registration centers were thoroughly searched until March 2017. The clinical outcomes of IVF/ICSI cycles were compared between thawed and fresh embryo transfer.

Results

Twenty-one articles were included in this meta-analysis. There were 801,464 pregnancies totally (thawed-ET: n = 158,967, fresh-ET: n = 642,497). The ectopic pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the group of thawed-ET than that in the group of fresh-ET (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.57–0.82; I² = 83%). We subdivided the data into subgroups for D3 embryo transfer and D5 embryo transfer. We also found that the ectopic pregnancy rate was significantly lower with thawed-ET on D3 than that with fresh-ET (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.53–0.85; I² = 0%). The risk of ectopic pregnancy was significantly decreased with thawed-ET on D5 than that with fresh-ET (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.50–0.64; I² = 45%).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that in contrast to fresh embryo transfers, thawed D3 or D5 embryo transfers can reduce the rate of EP.

     

Multifetal pregnancy reduction: a Belgian experience

Multifetal pregnancy reductions were performed during the first trimester of pregnancy in 26 patients. Transabdominal intrathoracic KC1 injections were performed in 23 cases, and transcervical aspirations in 3 cases. There were 4 miscarriages (15%) during the second trimester, 18 pregnancies ended in 33 births, 4 pregnancies are going on uneventfully and are beyond 32 weeks. There was no maternal morbidity related to the procedure; fetal morbidity has been mild.     

Multifetal pregnancy reduction

Multifetal pregnancies have increased dramatically since the introduction and improvement in assisted reproductive techniques. Multifetal pregnancy reduction (MPR) is a technique developed over the past 15 years to deal with the sequelae of higher order multiple gestations resulting from infertility treatment. With increasing operator experience, loss rates for patients undergoing MPR have declined dramatically. The present review addresses recent data on the outcomes of patients undergoing MPR, as well as recent information on the natural history of higher-order multiple gestations in individuals not undergoing MPR. New developments in this area such as the use of chorionic villus sampling before MPR, as well as MPR to a single fetus, and information on the psychological follow-up of MPR patients are also discussed.     

Multifetal pregnancy reduction in pregnancies with a monochorionic component

We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and effect of first-trimester multifetal pregnancy reduction on procedure-related complications and obstetrical outcome in multiple pregnancies with a monochorionic component. Although procedure-related complications were relatively common, the obstetrical outcome was favorable in most cases when the monochorionic twin component was reduced.     

Nitroblue-tetrazolium reduction test in pregnancy

NBT reduction test was performed in 121 pregnant women, 40 postpartum women, and 97 nonpregnant women of childbearing age. In the first and third trimesters the percentage of NBT positive cells was within the normal limits. During the weeks 14 to 27 (second trimester) of pregnancy there was a significant increase (P < 0.005) in NBT reduction, with a peak during weeks 18 to 24 (fifth and sixth months). Twenty-four hours after delivery we found a second rise and two days later the values returned to normal. It has been suggested that the increase in NBT reduction during pregnancy and 24 hours after delivery is in correlation with the penetration of trophoblasts in the maternal circulation which takes place at the same time. We conclude that the NBT reduction test cannot serve as an aid to the differentiation between bacterial and viral infection in the second trimester of pregnancy.