Abstract
Objective When delivery of a breech fetus is required at a preterm gestational age, Cesarean
delivery is often recommended. We performed a prospective patient series to assess
the success rate and safety of performing external cephalic version (ECV) procedures
on preterm fetuses as an alternative to Cesarean delivery.
Study Design We performed a prospective clinical series of patients who required delivery with
a malpresenting fetus at a preterm gestational age.
Results ECV procedures were successful in singletons 50% of the time. No significant complications
or cases of fetal mortality were documented.
Conclusion ECV at preterm gestational ages may be an appropriate approach to management in patients
requiring delivery. Larger series are needed to further document success rates and
risks of the procedure.
Keywords
preterm - external cephalic version - preterm labor - preterm birth - breech
