Therapeutic amniocentesis using a vacuum bottle aspiration system.

Abstract

Therapeutic amniocentesis has been performed traditionally by gravitational drainage or syringe aspiration. We describe a technique for relatively rapid, large-volume therapeutic amniocentesis using a negative-pressure vacuum bottle aspiration system. The procedure involves insertion of a 20-gauge spinal needle into the amniotic cavity followed by connection to a 1-L vacuum bottle via noncollapsible tubing. During a 5-year period, 86 therapeutic amniocenteses were performed on 26 women. The amniotic fluid removal rate was 89 mL/minute. There were three instances of transient preterm labor, three cases of ruptured membranes within a week of the procedure, and no cases of abruption, chorioamnionitis, or fetal distress. The vacuum bottle aspiration technique for therapeutic amniocentesis permits expeditious removal of large volumes of amniotic fluid safely and effectively.