THE EXTERNAL CEPHALIC VERSION AS AN OUTPA TIENT TREATMENT

The external cephalic version (ECV) of the fetus at term reduces the m aternal and fetal risks Of intrapartum breech presentation and Caesare an delivery. Since 1986 over 800 external cephalic versions were perfo rmed in the outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Stadtische Frauenklinik Stuttgart. 60.5% were successful. NO severe c omplications occurred. Sufficient amniotic fluid as well as the mobili ty of the fetal breech is a major criterion for the success of the ECV . Management requires a safe technique for mother and fetus. This incl udes ultrasonography, elektronical fetal monitoring and the ability to perform immediate caesarean delivery as well as the performance of EC V without analgesicas and sedatives. More than 70% of the ECV were suc cessful without tocolysis. in unsuccesful cases the additional use of tocolysis improves the success rate only slightly Therefore routine us e of tocolysis does not appear necessary. External cephalic version ca n be recommended as an outpatient treatment without tocolysis.