EXTERNAL CEPHALIC VERSION AT TERM WITH TOCOLYSIS AND VIBROACOUSTIC STIMULATION

Objective. This study compared the obstetric outcome in women who had external cephalic version (ECV) for breech presentation after 36 weeks gestation with those who did not, to see whether ECV reduces breech d eliveries and cesarean section rates with reduced complications. Metho d: External cephalic version was attempted in 200 women (study group) with the use of tocolysis ard vibroacoustic stimulation. The control g roup (ECV not attempted) comprised of 278 women with breech presentati on after 36 weeks. Result: The cesarean section rate was 14.0% in the successful version group compared with 55.2% in the unsuccessful versi on group. The overall cesarean section rate in the study group was 32. 5%. In the control group of 278, the fetus remained in the breech pres entation in labor in 269 women with a cesarean section rate of 51.4% w hich was not different from the unsuccessful version group (55.2%). Co nclusion: This study supports the randomized trials conducted earlier in that ECV after 36 weeks gestation reduced the number of breech deli veries and cesarean sections (32.5% in the study group compared with 5 1.4% in the control group) (P > 0.00001). (C) 1997 International Feder ation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.