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Twin entanglement revisited

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Richard B Kurzel*
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
*
*Correspondence: Dr Richard B Kurzel, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center, California Avenue at 15th Street, Room F-208, Chicago, Illinois 60608, USA. Tel: 773 257 6727; Fax: 773 257 6359

Abstract

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A fear of interlocking twins is one factor that has led to a high Cesarean section (C/S) rate in breech (A)/vertex (B) (Bra/Vtxb) twins. We sought to estimate the frequency of occurrence of twin entanglement, and of interlocking Bra/Vtxb twins in vaginal deliveries. 541 twins and 48 195 deliveries were retrospectively studied for the period 1987–1995. The incidence of Bra/Vtxb deliveries was noted, and the number of deliveries marked by interlocking and collision of fetuses. The mode of delivery, reason for C/S, and sources of perinatal mortality were noted. Only 43 deliveries were Bra/Vtxb (7.9% of all twins) and of these only 14 (32.6%) were delivered vaginally. One case of interlocking (2.3% of all Bra/Vtxb pairs) and five cases of collision of twins (ie competition for entry into the pelvic inlet with obstruction) were noted. All cases mentioned were delivered by C/S. No perinatal mortality resulted from these cases. In recent years the trend has been for greater use of C/S and ultrasound in managing twin deliveries. In this study 67.4% of Bra/Vtxb twins were delivered by C/S. Although there are fewer vaginal deliveries of these twins and the rate for interlocking (2.3%; 95% CI: 0.06–12.3%) for the whole group has remained about the same, we found the rate in those twins allowed vaginal delivery was 6.7% (95% CI: 0.2–31.9%). The presentation at greatest risk for entanglement was found to be Bra/Vtxb.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998