Pregnancy Outcomes following Bipolar Umbilical Cord Cauterization for Selective Termination in Complicated Monochorionic Multiple Gestations

OBJECTIVE: To review pregnancy and childhood outcomes following selective termination by ultrasound guided bipolar umbilical cord cauterization (UCC) in complicated monochorionic multifetal pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: Consenting patients (27 of 49, 55%) had review of pregnancy history and pediatric development in the surviving twin following selective UCC. RESULTS: UCC was performed at 21.2 +/- 2.8 weeks gestational age, followed by a liveborn delivery (n = 28) at 34.4 +/- 4.7 weeks. Mean birth weight was 2,218 +/- 926 g. Complications included preterm labor (25.0%), premature rupture of membranes (17.8%), placental abruption (10.7%) and chorioamnionitis (7.1%). Perinatal mortality was 10.3% in continuing fetuses. However, 96.2% of pregnancies achieved livebirths with 96% of neonates showing apparently normal development between ages 1.5 and 5 years. CONCLUSION: Bipolar UCC is a reasonably safe and effective treatment for selective termination in complicated monochorionic pregnancies.