Pregnancy is one of the most meaningful events in a family’s life. For women carrying twins, however, potentially life-threatening complications can cast a dark cloud over an otherwise joyful time. One third of all identical twins are at risk for developing twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a condition where the fetuses develop unbalanced circulation through shared placenta vasculature. Non identicle (fraternal) twins are not at risk for TTTS. Without treatment, survival is limited and mortality for both twins is as high as 90% in advanced TTTS.
Operative fetoscopy is the latest technological advance in maternal fetal surgery. During operative fetoscopy for TTTS, a laser fiber is used to coagulate the blood vessels which are inappropriately connecting the twins. The Midwest Fetal Care Center, the only center of its kind in the upper Midwest, has providers skilled in the field of operative fetoscopy for the treatment of TTTS.
Dr. Brad Feltis of Pediatric Surgical Associates, Ltd. is the Surgical Director of the Midwest Fetal Care Center and one of few pediatric surgeons skilled in the management of fetal anomalies and in utero procedures such as Fetoscopic laser ablation therapy.
To find out more information on the Midwest Fetal Care Center or for a referral to the center, please call Pediatric Surgical Associates at (612) 813-8000.