Laser surgery or watchful waiting? trial seeks best care for twin syndrome

NCT ID NCT01220011

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial compared two approaches for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) stage 1: immediate laser surgery versus careful observation. 179 pregnant women with TTTS stage 1 and favorable conditions took part. The goal was to see which strategy leads to better survival and brain health for the babies at 6 months of age.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Fetoscopic laser surgery

What this could lead to

If laser surgery proves better, it could become the standard treatment for early-stage TTTS, improving survival and reducing brain damage in twins.

What could go wrong

This is a completed trial with 179 participants, so results are limited. Laser surgery carries risks like preterm labor or infection, and the benefit over observation may be small or none.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

hematologic disorder Infant, Newborn, Diseases neonatal anemia perinatal disease twin to twin transfusion syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Children's Hospital Colorado and Colorado Fetal Care Center

    Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States

  • Fetal Care Center of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229-3026, United States

  • Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

  • Fetal Therapy Program, Evergrenn Hospital Medical Center

    Kirkland, Washington, 98034, United States

  • Fetal Treatment Program of New England, Hasbro Children's Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

    Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States

  • Hospital Ste-Justine

    Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1R2, Canada

  • Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto

    Toronto, Ontario, ON M5X 1X5, Canada

  • Necker Enfants Malades

    Paris, 75006, France

  • The Ohio State University / OSU Fetal Therapy Program

    Columbus, Ohio, 43221, United States

  • The Texas Fetal Center, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, University of Texas Medical School

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

  • University of MD /Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21000, United States