Study population
We conducted a retrospective study of patients with complicated MC multiple pregnancies who underwent selective reduction by RFA in single fetal therapy center between 2015 Jan and 2018 Dec. According to the difference of the needle insert angle, the study subjects were divided into two groups, abdominal insert angle group (n=116) and dorsal insert angle group(n=29). those who underwent dorsal needle insertion were all due to being positioned prone continuously throughout the procedure.
Prior to the procedure, a comprehensive ultrasound examination was performed in order to confirm the gestational age and chorionicity, and also to confirm the diagnosis and staging of complicated MC multiple gestation. RFA was one option of fetal therapy methods for all case of complicated MC multiple pregnancies such as triplets, quadruplets, TTTS, sIUGR, TRAP, TAPs, and discordance for structural anomalies. Since more than one intrauterine treatment options were available for each case, all pregnant women and their husbands received a thorough consultation prior to the procedure of RFA.
All pregnant women rolled in the study have given their written informed consent and that the study protocol was approved by the committee of local hospital on human research.