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Short communication: The complications of external cephalic version: results from 805 consecutive attempts
Author(s) -
Collins S,
Ellaway P,
Harrington D,
Pandit M,
Impey LWM
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01271.x
Subject(s) - external cephalic version , breech presentation , caesarean section , medicine , patient safety , elective caesarean section , obstetrics , medical emergency , pregnancy , health care , genetics , biology , economics , economic growth
Most breech babies at term are now delivered by caesarean section. Although external cephalic version reduces the number of term breech presentations, its uptake has not been as wide as is recommended by professional bodies. This may be because of fears over safety. Pooled safety data do exist, largely from case series. However, the possibility of reporting and publication biases in such studies maybe preventing both women and obstetricians from being adequately reassured. In this series of 805 consecutive version attempts, we report an extremely low complication rate and 0.5% risk of emergency caesarean section after the procedure.