Thoracoamniotic shunting for fetal hydrothorax – Predictors of intrauterine course and postnatal outcome

Purpose: To assess predictors for survival and complications among a relatively large cohort of fetuses with hydrothorax treated by thoracoamniotic shunting. Material and methods: All cases with a prenatal diagnosis of hydrothorax detected in a 10-year period (2002 – 2011) in two tertiary referral centers were reviewed retrospectively for intrauterine course and outcome following thoracoamniotic shunting. Results: A total of 78 fetuses with hydrothorax treated with thoracoamniotic shunting were included in the study. Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 25.6 weeks (range, 12 – 34 weeks). In 31 (40%) fetuses add…