Radiofrequency Ablation
What is Radiofrequency Ablation?
It is a procedure to stop the blood flow in a fetus which is abnormal in the case of multiple pregnancies so that the normal baby can survive and the pregnancy can be continued. It is performed in abnormal twin pregnancies, where one abnormal twin is threatening the life of the other twin who is normal. It prevents neurological injury and IUD of the co-twin in complicated Monochorionic diamniotic twins like sFGR, structural anomalies, Twin Reverse Arterial Perfusion Sequence (TRAP) etc. Radiofrequency Ablation can be done from 16 weeks of pregnancy in discussion with a fetal medicine specialist.
The Procedure
Under continuous ultrasound guidance, the radio frequency needle is inserted percutaneously through the uterine wall into the abdominal umbilical cord insertion site of the abnormal fetus and radio frequency energy is delivered for a complete cessation of blood flow in the abnormal fetus. It is a minimally invasive procedure.
For selective fetal reduction to prevent neurological injury or IUD of the co-twin in complicated Monochorionic Diamniotic twins like sFGR, structural anomalies, TRAP etc.