Arabin cervical pessary for prevention of preterm birth in cases of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome treated by fetoscopic LASER coagulation: the PECEP LASER randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Fetoscopic LASER coagulation of the placental anastomoses has changed the prognosis of twin-twin transfusion syndrome. However, the prematurity rate in this cohort remains very high. To date, strategies proposed to decrease the prematurity rate have shown inconclusive, if not unfavourable results. METHODS: This is a randomised controlled trial to investigate whether a prophylactic cervical pessary will lower the incidence of preterm delivery in cases of twin-twin transfusion syndrome requiring fetoscopic LASER coagulation. Women eligible for the study will be randomised after surgery and allocated to either pessary or expectant management. The pessary will be left in place until 37 completed weeks or earlier if delivery occurs. The primary outcome is delivery before 32 completed weeks. Secondary outcomes are a composite of adverse neonatal outcome, fetal and neonatal death, maternal complications, preterm rupture of membranes and hospitalisation for threatened preterm labour. 352 women will be included in order to decrease the rate of preterm delivery before 32 weeks’ gestation from 40% to 26% with an alpha-error of 0.05 and 80% power. DISCUSSION: The trial aims at clarifying whether the cervical pessary prolongs the pregnancy in cases of twin-twin transfusion syndrome regardless of cervical length at the time of fetoscopy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01334489. Registered 04 December 2011.