ABSTRACT
External cephalic version should be followed by fetal and maternal surveillance until
delivery. To shorten this period of surveillance, a protocol of version at term, followed
by immediate induction of labor, was adopted. The aim of the present study was to
evaluate the effect of this protocol on the subsequent mode of delivery. Two hundred
and ninety-one singleton breech pregnancies were included in this study. Of these,
74 cases underwent version, 75% of which were successful. Success of version compared
to failed version was associated with statistically significant (p <0.001) lower rate
of cesarean sections (9% and 67%, respectively). The overall rate of abdominal deliveries
in the version group (74 cases) was statistically significantly lower compared with
two other groups: one composed of breech pregnancies that did not undergo versions,
but would have been qualified for it, had they been referred on time (121 cases),
and the other (96 cases) that did not have versions done because of contraindications
to its performance (cesarean rates, 23%, 54%, and 79%, respectively; p <0.001). It
may be concluded that a policy of external cephalic version at term is effective in
lowering the incidence of cesarean deliveries, and the added intervention of induction
of labor does not negate this effect.
Keywords
Cephalic version - cesarean section - vaginal delivery
