Delayed delivery of surviving triplet after fetal reduction and spontaneous abortion

In multiple pregnancies, survival of remaining fetuses after premature death and delivery of one fetus is uncommon. We report a case of a triplet pregnancy that was reduced to twins at the 14th gestational week and then had preterm premature rupture of membranes and intrauterine fetal death of one twin at the 17th gestational week. To save the surviving fetus, delivery of the dead fetus and ligation of the umbilical cord at the cervical level were performed. We also performed McDonald cervical cerclage to keep the placenta of the dead fetus as well as that of the surviving one in the uterine cavity. After a series of aggressive procedures, including immediate administration of tocolytic agents, and antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infection and preterm labor, the surviving fetus was delivered vaginally 73 days later due to intractable uterine contractions. After a 10-week hospital stay, the infant boy, weighing 2,500 g, was discharged without any sequelae. To our knowledge, this was the longest interval between deliveries in a triplet pregnancy reported in Taiwan. With adequate intensive management, a satisfactory outcome of the fetus and mother in such cases is possible.