In this report we present our experience based on 570 chorionic villi samplings performed by the transcervical method at 8 to 12 weeks gestation. Cytogenetic results were obtained for 551 samples, hence a failure rate of 3.33%. The previously described technique was modified by prolonging the incubation period to 48 hours. The total number of abnormalities was 26, which represents 4.71% of our sample. Of 24 chromosomal abnormalities, 21 were unbalanced and 3 were balanced of parental origin. Five discordant cases are thoroughly discussed.