Sound-Wave TTTS Treatment Saves 12 of 20 Twin Babies in World-First Trial

Q: Why did this 'miracle' ultrasound for twins still require invasive surgery for half the mothers in the trial?

Because the ultrasound treatment is still experimental and did not fully control the disease in every case. In the small trial, the focused ultrasound successfully sealed about 90% of the targeted placental blood vessels, but TTTS can be fast-moving and technically difficult to treat. If enough abnormal vessel connections remain open, the blood-flow imbalance between the twins can continue or return, making standard invasive treatment necessary. That is why five of the 10 women went on to need further procedures such as fetoscopic laser treatment or fluid drainage. The non-invasive method appears to have worked well for some pregnancies, including Brioney Garrett’s, but it was not yet reliable enough on its own for all patients. The results reflect both the severity of TTTS and the early stage of the research. The trial involved only 10 women, and researchers reported 12 survivors out of 20 babies overall. Those figures show promise, especially because no unwanted side-effects were reported from the ultrasound itself, but they also show the treatment is not yet a complete replacement for established surgery. Doctors and charities involved in the study described the approach as promising rather than proven. Larger studies are needed to determine which patients are most likely to benefit, whether the technique can seal more vessels consistently, and whether it can reduce the need for follow-up invasive surgery.

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 10

A 10-woman trial found a non-invasive high-powered ultrasound procedure saved 12 of 20 babies with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, with no unwanted side-effects reported.
The treatment seals placental blood vessels causing the imbalance without inserting a needle or telescope into the womb, blocking blood flow in 90% of targeted vessels in about 20 minutes.
Half the women still needed further treatment, underscoring researchers' warning that larger studies are required before the procedure can be offered widely.
Brioney Garrett's twins, Nancy and Margo, were the first treated and were born healthy at nearly 34 weeks; now aged four, they are due to start primary school.
TTTS affects 10% to 15% of identical twins sharing a placenta—about 300 to 400 UK pregnancies a year—and current treatment usually requires invasive laser surgery or fluid drainage.

Sources

BBC.com3h ago

Non-Invasive Sound Wave Procedure Saves Identical Twins from Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS)

bbc.co.uk3h ago

Pioneering treatment saves identical twins from rare pregnancy condition - BBC News

bbc.co.uk3h ago

Queen Charlotte's Hospital Pioneers Non-Invasive Sound Wave Treatment for Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome

Why did this 'miracle' ultrasound for twins still require invasive surgery for half the mothers in the trial?

If sound waves can now perform surgery in the womb, what other fetal conditions could this technology treat next?

Non-Invasive HIFU Achieves 90% Vessel Blockage in First Human Trial for Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome: A Safer Future for Fetal Therapy?

Overview

A major breakthrough in fetal medicine has been achieved with the first clinical trial of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) as a non-invasive treatment for Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). Conducted at leading UK hospitals and universities, this Phase 1a trial enrolled women with early TTTS and used HIFU to precisely target and block abnormal placental blood vessels, all without surgery or instruments entering the womb. The study marks a potential turning point in TTTS care, showing that HIFU is technically feasible and safe, and could offer a safer alternative to current invasive treatments in the future.

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