Second trimester selective termination of a twin with ruptured membranes: elimination of fluid leakage and preservation of pregnancy.

Second trimester selective termination has been used for 15 years to prevent the birth of children with fetal abnormalities. We have managed a twin pregnancy in which one twin had spontaneous rupture of membranes at 15 weeks, with continued fluid leakage and oligohydramnios. There was a high risk for infection, and selective termination was performed at 18 weeks of gestation, followed by the term delivery of the remaining twin. Selective termination may preserve the viability of the second twin otherwise considered at high risk for fetal loss.