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1. Preparation of the placenta at delivery
<ol>
	<li>Label the umbilical cords of the twins with one (for the first-born) or two (for the second-born) clamps.</li>
	<li>Inspect the maternal and fetal surface of the placenta for completeness or disruption.</li>
	<li>Record the following data: type of cord insertion (central, eccentric, marginal or velamentous), number of blood vessels in the umbilical cord (usually one vein and two arteries, sometimes only one artery) and color difference between both placental shar...

<ol>
	<li>Lopriore, E., Middeldorp, J. M., Sueters, M., Vandenbussche, F. P., Walther, F. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Twin-to-twin+transfusion+syndrome:+from+placental+anastomoses+to+long-term+neurodevelopmental+outcome.">Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: from placental anastomoses to long-term neurodevelopmental outcome.</a> Curr. Pediatr. Rev. 1, 191-203 (2005).</li><li>Slaghekke, F., Kist, W. J., Oepkes, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Twin+anemia-polycythemia+sequence:+diagnostic+criteria,+classification,+perinatal+management+and+outcome.">Twin anemia-polycythemia sequence: diagnostic criteria, classification, perinatal management and outcome.</a> Fetal Diagn. Ther. 27, 181-190 (2010).</li><li>Lopriore, E., Middeldorp, J. M., Oepkes, D., Klumper, F. J., Walther, F. J., Vandenbussche, F. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Residual+anastomoses+after+fetoscopic+laser+surgery+in+twin-to-twin+transfusion+syndrome:+frequency,+associated+risks+and+outcome.">Residual anastomoses after fetoscopic laser surgery in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: frequency, associated risks and outcome.</a> Placenta. 28, 204-208 (2007).</li><li>Lopriore, E., Slaghekke, F., Middeldorp, J. M., Klumper, F. J., Oepkes, D., Vandenbussche, F. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Residual+anastomoses+in+twin-to-twin+transfusion+syndrome+treated+with+selective+fetoscopic+laser+surgery:+localization,+size,+and+consequences.">Residual anastomoses in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome treated with selective fetoscopic laser surgery: localization, size, and consequences.</a> Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. , (2009).</li><li>Lewi, L., Jani, J., Cannie, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intertwin+anastomoses+in+monochorionic+placentas+after+fetoscopic+laser+coagulation+for+twin-to-twin+transfusion+syndrome:+is+there+more+than+meets+the+eye.">Intertwin anastomoses in monochorionic placentas after fetoscopic laser coagulation for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: is there more than meets the eye.</a> Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 194, 790-795 (2006).</li><li>Denbow, M. L., Cox, P., Taylor, M., Hammal, D. M., Fisk, N. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Placental+angioarchitecture+in+monochorionic+twin+pregnancies:+relationship+to+fetal+growth,+fetofetal+transfusion+syndrome,+and+pregnancy+outcome.">Placental angioarchitecture in monochorionic twin pregnancies: relationship to fetal growth, fetofetal transfusion syndrome, and pregnancy outcome.</a> Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 182, 417-426 (2000).</li><li>van Meir, H., Slaghekke, F., Lopriore, E., van Wijngaarden, W. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Arterio-arterial+anastomoses+do+not+prevent+the+development+of+twin+anemia-polycythemia+sequence.">Arterio-arterial anastomoses do not prevent the development of twin anemia-polycythemia sequence.</a> Placenta. 31, 163-165 (2010).</li><li>De Paepe, M. E., Shapiro, S., Young, L., Luks, F. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Placental+characteristics+of+selective+birth+weight+discordance+in+diamniotic-monochorionic+twin+gestations.">Placental characteristics of selective birth weight discordance in diamniotic-monochorionic twin gestations.</a> Placenta. 31, 380-386 (2010).</li><li>Umur, A., van Gemert, M. J., Nikkels, P. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Monoamniotic-versus+diamniotic-monochorionic+twin+placentas:+anastomoses+and+twin-twin+transfusion+syndrome.">Monoamniotic-versus diamniotic-monochorionic twin placentas: anastomoses and twin-twin transfusion syndrome.</a> Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 189, 1325-1329 (2003).</li><li>Senat, M. V., Deprest, J., Boulvain, M., Paupe, A., Winer, N., Ville, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endoscopic+laser+surgery+versus+serial+amnioreduction+for+severe+twin-to-twin+transfusion+syndrome.">Endoscopic laser surgery versus serial amnioreduction for severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.</a> N. Engl. J. Med. 351, 136-144 (2004).</li><li>Lopriore, E., Sueters, M., Middeldorp, J. M., Vandenbussche, F. P., Walther, F. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Haemoglobin+differences+at+birth+in+monochorionic+twins+without+chronic+twin-to-twin+transfusion+syndrome.">Haemoglobin differences at birth in monochorionic twins without chronic twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.</a> Prenat. Diagn. 25, 844-850 (2005).</li><li>Papathanasiou, D., Witlox, R., Oepkes, D., Walther, F. J., Bloemenkamp, K. W., Lopriore, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Monochorionic+twins+with+ruptured+vasa+previa:+double+trouble!.">Monochorionic twins with ruptured vasa previa: double trouble!.</a> Fetal Diagn. Ther. 28, 48-50 (2010).</li><li>Weingertner, A. S., Kohler, A., Kohler, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Clinical+and+placental+characteristics+in+four+new+cases+of+twin+anemia-polycythemia+sequence.">Clinical and placental characteristics in four new cases of twin anemia-polycythemia sequence.</a> Ultrasound Obstet. Gynecol. 35, 490-494 (2010).</li><li>Lewi, L., Cannie, M., Blickstein, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Placental+sharing,+birthweight+discordance,+and+vascular+anastomoses+in+monochorionic+diamniotic+twin+placentas.">Placental sharing, birthweight discordance, and vascular anastomoses in monochorionic diamniotic twin placentas.</a> Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 197, 587-588 (2007).</li><li>Lewi, L., Gucciardo, L., Huber, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Clinical+outcome+and+placental+characteristics+of+monochorionic+diamniotic+twin+pairs+with+early-+and+late-onset+discordant+growth.">Clinical outcome and placental characteristics of monochorionic diamniotic twin pairs with early- and late-onset discordant growth.</a> Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. , (2008).</li><li>De Paepe, M. E., Friedman, R. M., Poch, M., Hansen, K., Carr, S. R., Luks, F. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Placental+findings+after+laser+ablation+of+communicating+vessels+in+twin-to-twin+transfusion+syndrome.">Placental findings after laser ablation of communicating vessels in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.</a> Pediatr. Dev. Pathol. 7, 159-165 (2004).</li><li>De Paepe, M. E., DeKoninck, P., Friedman, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vascular+distribution+patterns+in+monochorionic+twin+placentas.">Vascular distribution patterns in monochorionic twin placentas.</a> Placenta. 26, 471-475 (2005).</li><li>Nikkels, P. G., Hack, K. E., vanGemert, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pathology+of+twin+placentas+with+special+attention+to+monochorionic+twin+placentas.">Pathology of twin placentas with special attention to monochorionic twin placentas.</a> J. Clin. Pathol. 61, 1247-1253 (2008).</li><li>Quintero, R. A., Martinez, J. M., Lopez, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Individual+placental+territories+after+selective+laser+photocoagulation+of+communicating+vessels+in+twin-twin+transfusion+syndrome.">Individual placental territories after selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels in twin-twin transfusion syndrome.</a> Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 192, 1112-1118 (2005).</li><li>Quintero, R. A., Comas, C., Bornick, P. W., Allen, M. H., Kruger, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Selective+versus+non-selective+laser+photocoagulation+of+placental+vessels+in+twin-to-twin+transfusion+syndrome.">Selective versus non-selective laser photocoagulation of placental vessels in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.</a> Ultrasound Obstet. Gynecol. 16, 230-236 (2000).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

TTTS and TAPS are two severe disorders that can occur in monochorionic twins. Both disorders are due to AV anastomoses causing imbalanced intertwin blood flow. In the last 2 decades, fetoscopic laser surgery became available and was shown to be the best method for treatment of TTTS10. The aim of fetoscopic laser treatment is to interrupt the inter-twin circulation through coagulation of the vascular anastomoses on the placental surface. However, the laser treatment for TTTS is far from perfect. Treatment with ...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<th>Name of reagent</th>
			<th>Company</th>
			<th>Catalogue number</th>
			<th>Comments</th>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Umbilical catheters
(various dimensions, Length 40 cm)		
</td>
			<td>Vygon</td>
			<td>1270.08 (8 F) 
1270.08 (5 F)
1270.04 (4 F)
1270.03 (3.5 F)
1270.02 (2.5 F)	</td>
			<td>Any type of catheter can be used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>20 ml syringes</td>
			<td>BD Plastipak</td>
			<td>300613</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Color dye
(different colors)	
	
</td>
			<td>Royal Talens Schoolverf	</td>
			<td>36716010 (blue)36715010 (green)
36712350 (yellow)
36713570 (pink)</td>
			<td>Any viscous color dye can be used</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

accurate and simple evaluation of vascular anastomoses in monochorionic placenta using colored dye

The presence of placental vascular anastomoses is a conditio sine qua non for the development of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS)1,2. Injection studies of twin placentas have shown that such anastomoses are almost invariably present in monochorionic twins and extremely rare in dichorionic twins1. Three types of anastomoses have been documented: from artery to artery, from vein to vein and from artery to vein. Arterio-venous (AV) anastomoses are unidirectional and are referred to as "deep" anastomoses since they proceed through a shared placental cotyledon, whereas arterio-arterial (AA) and veno-venous (VV) anastomoses are bi-directional and are referred to as "superficial" since they lie on the chorionic plate. Both TTTS and TAPS are caused by net imbalance of blood flow between the twins due to AV anastomoses. Blood from one twin (the donor) is pumped through an artery into the shared placental cotyledon and then drained through a vein into the circulation of the other twin (the recipient). Unless blood is pumped back from the recipient to the donor through oppositely directed deep AV anastomoses or through superficial anastomoses, an imbalance of blood volumes occurs, gradually leading to the development of TTTS or TAPS. The presence of an AA anastomosis has been shown to protect against the development of TTTS and TAPS by compensating for the circulatory imbalance caused by the uni-directional AV anastomoses1,2. 
Injection of monochorionic placentas soon after birth is a useful mean to understand the etiology of various (hematological) complications in monochorionic twins and is a required test to reach the diagnosis of TAPS2. In addition, injection of TTTS placentas treated with fetoscopic laser surgery allows identification of possible residual anastomoses3-5. This additional information is of paramount importance for all perinatologists involved in the management and care of monochorionic twins with TTTS or TAPS. Several placental injection techniques are currently being used. We provide a simple protocol to accurately evaluate the presence of (residual) vascular anastomoses using colored dye injection.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Accurate and Simple Evaluation of Vascular Anastomoses in Monochorionic Placenta using Colored Dye at JoVE.com

Accurate and Simple Evaluation of Vascular Anastomoses in Monochorionic Placenta using Colored Dye

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and twin anemia polycythemia sequence are two potentially devastating problems in perinatal medicine. Both disorders occur only in monochorionic twins and result from unbalanced blood flow through placental vascular anastomoses. We provide a simple protocol to accurately evaluate the presence of vascular anastomoses using colored dye injection of placental vessels after birth.

The presence of placental vascular anastomoses is a conditio sine qua non for the development of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and twin anemia ...

accurate-simple-evaluation-vascular-anastomoses-monochorionic

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

26.6K vistas.  Leiden University Medical Center. De gemelo a gemelo síndrome de transfusión de gemelo y la secuencia de la anemia policitemia dos problemas potencialmente devastadores en la medicina perinatal. Ambos trastornos se presentan sólo en los gemelos monocoriales, y el resultado del flujo de sangre a través de la placenta desequilibrada anastomosis vasculares. Ofrecemos un protocolo simple para evaluar con precisión la presencia de anastomosis vasculares mediante inyección de colorante de vasos placentari...