Trophoblast sampling by blind transcervical aspiration

Summary. Blind transcervical aspiration for trophoblast was carried out on 137 patients undergoing elective termination of early pregnancies. Trophoblast was obtained from 45 patients (33%) usually at the first attempt. Collection was not necessarily more successful between 8 and 11 weeks of gestation. In only 13 patients (9%) was trophoblast collected without contamination by maternal tissue, or blood. Perforation of the amniotic sac in one patient (1%), bleeding either observed, or detected histologically (34%) and introduction of infection (4%) constitutes a real threat to fetal survival. Maternal serum a-fetoprotein estimation appears useful and may forewarn likelihood of fetal damage. Although transcervical aspiration should encounter ready acceptability as an outpatient procedure, modifications in the technique are essential before clinical application for detection of gene, or chromosome anomalies can be considered.