Septostomy with or without amnioreduction for the treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

Guidance issued

IP Guidance Number: IPG199

Summary:
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on septostomy with or without amnioreduction for the treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Description:
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome occurs when unborn identical twins have different sacs in the womb but share the same placenta. This results in blood flow from one twin to the other through connections between blood vessels in the shared placenta becoming unbalanced. The volume of fluid around the twins also becomes uneven. In septostomy with or without amnioreduction, a needle is used to make a hole in the membrane separating the twins to even out the volume of the fluid surrounding the babies. Sometimes excess amniotic fluid may need to be removed with another needle (this procedure is called amnioreduction).

Arrangements:

Other (see guidance)

Topic Area:

Gynaecology, pregnancy and birth

Specialty:

Obstetrics and gynaecology

Specialist advice has
been sought from:

British Association of Perinatal Medicine

British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists

Date notified to NICE:

31 January 2005

Provisional Consultation Date:

Autumn 2006

Guidance Publication Date:

13 December 2006

Contact Details:

Project Manager
(for general enquiries or comments)

Ben Doak

Technical Lead
(for procedure specific enquiries or comments)

Sally Wortley
ip@nice.org.uk

Contact Address:

Interventional Procedures Programme
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
MidCity Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NA

Links:

	IPG199 Septostomy with or without amnioreduction for the treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: guidance	13 December 2006
	IPG199 Septostomy for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (with or without amnioreduction): Understanding NICE guidance	06 December 2006
	IPG199 Septostomy for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (with or without amnioreduction): Understanding NICE guidance (MS Word format)	13 December 2006
	Septostomy with our without amnioreduction for the treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: Audit Criteria	13 December 2007
	Amnioreduction using septostomy with or without amniodrainage for the treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (interventional procedures consultation)	29 August 2006
	Amnioreduction using septostomy with or without amniodrainage for the treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (interventional procedures overview)	29 August 2006

Septostomy with or without amnioreduction for the treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

Search NICE guidance

Related information

Related guidance

Order NICE guidance

Navigation