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Saxena R, Sinha A, Pathak M, Rathod KJ. Conjoined thoracopagus twins: A systematic review of the anomalies and outcome of surgical separation. Afr J Paediatr Surg 2023; 20:157-165. [PMID: 37470549 PMCID: PMC10450114 DOI: 10.4103/ajps.ajps_77_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Conjoined twin is an extremely rare condition and requires a thorough knowledge of anatomy, and a multidisciplinary approach is essential to successfully separate the twins. Thoracopagus twins lie face to face and are attached from chest to upper abdomen. They are the most common among all the varieties but have a poor survival rate. Materials and Methods This study is a review of literature from 2019 to the oldest via PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords: Conjoined twins, Thoracopagus twins, Thoracoomphalopagus and Thoraco-omphalopagus twins. The articles were reviewed for the description of the anatomy of shared organs, management and outcome of these twins. Results One hundred and fifty-eight sets of thoracopagus and thoraco-omphalopagus twins including our twins were included in this study. Out of 158 reported thoracopagus twin sets in literature, with M: F ratio of 1:2.3, 71 sets were found to be non-operable and all of them subsequently expired; 82 sets were operated upon, out of which 83 babies survived, suggesting an overall surgical success rate of about 50%. Conclusion Thoracopagus twins have a dismal prognosis. The most important decisive parameter for successful separation is the extent of sharing of organs between twins. The role of a motivated multidisciplinary team is also indispensable and cannot be overemphasised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Saxena
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Arvind Sinha
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Manish Pathak
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Kirtikumar J Rathod
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
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Hu Q, Deng C, Zhu Q, Yang X, Liu H, Liao H, Wang X, Yu H. Dextro-transposition of the great arteries in one twin: case reports and literature review. Transl Pediatr 2022; 11:601-609. [PMID: 35558975 PMCID: PMC9085950 DOI: 10.21037/tp-21-569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dextro-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) is a rare congenital heart disease, as it affects only 0.02-0.05% of live births. It is the second most common cyanotic heart disease following Tetralogy of Fallot. It has a male predominance. Fetal echocardiography is an optimal method for prenatal diagnosis of fetal D-TGA. In twin pregnancies, fetal D-TGA in one twin is very rare, especially in monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies. Herein, we report a case of D-TGA in one twin in two dichorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies and one monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancy from January 2018 to June 2021. CASE DESCRIPTION One twin with D-TGA was diagnosed by fetal echocardiography in the second trimester, and the co-twin was normal in all three cases. A multidisciplinary team provided extensive counseling regarding the D-TGA twin and the co-twin, and adequate perinatal management was provided. In cases 1, 2, and 3, the mothers underwent cesarean sections at 37 weeks + 2 days, 34 weeks + 5 days, and 36 weeks + 1 day, respectively. In case 1, which involved a female D-TGA neonate with birth weight 2,410 g, an emergent atrial septostomy was performed at 20 h after birth, and the neonate underwent atrial switch operation (ASO) 24 days after birth. In case 2, involving a male D-TGA neonate with a birth weight of 2,380 g, ASO was performed 24 days after birth. In case 3, involving a female D-TGA neonate with birth weight 2,240 g, ASO was performed 19 days after birth and delayed sternal closure was performed 4 days later. All six infants showed normal development during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Early antenatal diagnosis of D-TGA in one fetus of a twin pregnancy is significantly important. A multidisciplinary team should carry individual evaluation and integrated management of the D-TGA twin and co-twin during the pregnancy and perinatal period. After birth, delayed ductus arteriosus closure in the D-TGA twins should be performed when necessary and individualized timings for arterial switch operation should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunyan Deng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Qi Zhu
- Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China.,Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China.,Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongyan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Hua Liao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Haiyan Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW A number of high profile conjoined twin separations have been extensively covered by the world media. Anaesthesia for conjoined twins is a procedure rarely experienced by paediatric anaesthetists. The increased survival of the twins has prompted discussion as to the most appropriate selection of patients, teams and hospitals to provide exceptional anaesthetic care. RECENT FINDINGS The number of conjoined twins presenting for surgery remains low with many infants not surviving foetal or early neonatal life. Anaesthetic management of less common conjoined infants such as craniopagus twins has highlighted the benefit of careful patient selection, extensive preoperative investigations and meticulous multidisciplinary team planning. The role of simulation of possible adverse perioperative events has been highlighted. Three dimensional anatomical models and virtual reality systems have permitted surgical planning in advance of actual intervention. A number of legal and ethical concerns have been reported especially in the setting of emergency separation where surgery is likely to contribute to death of one of the twins. SUMMARY There appears to be an expanding role for international teams with extensive separation experience becoming involved in international teleconferencing to improve patient management in low-resource countries. Whether the perioperative outcome is better when the conjoined twins are transferred to major centres for surgery or teams operate in the twin's country of origin remains to be seen.
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