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The efficacy and safety of external cephalic version after a previous caesarean delivery
Author(s) -
Weill Yishay,
Pollack Raphael N.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/ajo.12527
Subject(s) - medicine , contraindication , external cephalic version , caesarean delivery , obstetrics , caesarean section , vaginal delivery , population , pregnancy , breech presentation , gynecology , alternative medicine , environmental health , pathology , biology , genetics
Background External cephalic version ( ECV ) in the presence of a uterine scar is still considered a relative contraindication despite encouraging studies of the efficacy and safety of this procedure. We present our experience with this patient population, which is the largest cohort published to date. Aims To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ECV in the setting of a prior caesarean delivery. Materials and methods A total of 158 patients with a fetus presenting as breech, who had an unscarred uterus, had an ECV performed. Similarly, 158 patients with a fetus presenting as breech, and who had undergone a prior caesarean delivery also underwent an ECV . Outcomes were compared. Results ECV was successfully performed in 136/158 (86.1%) patients in the control group. Of these patients, 6/136 (4.4%) delivered by caesarean delivery. In the study group, 117/158 (74.1%) patients had a successful ECV performed. Of these patients, 12/117 (10.3%) delivered by caesarean delivery. There were no significant complications in either of the groups. Conclusions ECV may be successfully performed in patients with a previous caesarean delivery. It is associated with a high success rate, and is not associated with an increase in complications.