Efficacy of External Cephalic Version with Tocolysis in Late Pregnancy
Wibool Rueangchainikhom MD*, Sravuth Sarapak BSc*, Sinart Prommas MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital Royal Thai Air Force, Bangkok
Objective : To study the success rate and identify factors influencing the success rate of external cephalic.
version (ECV) at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital.
Study design: Prospective descriptive study.
Results : Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital.
Material and Method: All parturients attending the obstetrics unit at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital between
October 1, 1997 and September 30, 2006, having completed 36 or more gestational weeks with singleton
non-vertex fetus, who had no exclusion criteria for ECV were given full information concerning a trial of ECV,
risk of cesarean section, and risk of emergency breech deliveries. Those who chose to undergo ECV after
counseling were recruited and gave signed consent. One hundred and forty singleton, pregnant women with
non-vertex presentation participated in this study.
Results : The success rate of ECV was 71.43%. Birth weight significantly affected the success rate of ECV.
Maternal weight, parity, gestational age, and placental site did not have any effect on the outcome. All fetuses
in the present study were subsequently delivered without significant morbidity and no cases of perinatal
mortality were recorded.
Conclusion : ECV is a safe procedure with a high success rate in selective cases. ECV, thus, is an effective
alternative practice for non-vertex presentation, which can also reduce the rate of breech delivery and
cesarean section. The major benefits of external cephalic version are reduced maternal morbidity and mortality
from surgery.
Keywords : External cephalic version, Success rate, Non-vertex presentation
