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Chapter 10 - Conjoined Twinning

Diagnosis and Management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2022

By
Alice King  and
Michael A. Belfort
Edited by
Leanne Bricker ,
Julian N. Robinson  and
Baskaran Thilaganathan
Leanne Bricker
Affiliation:
Corniche Hospital, Abu Dhabi
Julian N. Robinson
Affiliation:
Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston
Baskaran Thilaganathan
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London
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Summary

Conjoined twins are a rare anomaly with a high rate of in-utero and perinatal mortality. They are physically joined in ventral, lateral or dorsal unions and may be detected early in prenatal care with ultrasound. The prognosis and ability to separate conjoined twins is specific to their anatomy. Extensive prenatal and postnatal evaluation with a combination of sonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography and fluoroscopy are used together in order to tailor a care plan for each patient. Conjoined twins are typically delivered as scheduled surgical deliveries,and may be managed postnatally with 1) non-operative management, 2) emergency separation, or 3) planned surgical separation.

Type
Chapter
Information
Management of Multiple Pregnancies
A Practical Guide
 , pp. 99 - 111
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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References

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