A STUDY OF THE USE OF RADIOLOGICAL PELVIMETRY IN A CHINESE POPULATION

Background. To audit the use of radiological pelvimetry in a teaching obstetric unit in a Chinese population. Methods. A prospective observa tional study included all radiological pelvimetries performed in one o bstetric unit over 8 months. All pelvimetries were assessed by one of the authors, and the outcome of pregnancy was reviewed. Results. Among 5576 women delivered in that period, 298 (5.3%) had a pelvimetry. The anteroposterior diameter of the outlet (APO) was on average 9.3 mm sm aller than the obstetric conjugate (OC), and was below the definition of pelvic contraction in more than 70% of cases. Previous Cesarean sec tions accounted for 90.9% of the antenatal radiological pelvimetries. The result of this investigation affected the clinical management in m ore than 80% of these patients. The chance of successful vaginal deliv ery was directly related to the pelvic dimensions. Conclusions. Radiol ogical pelvimetry may provide additional information which could facil itate the counseling of patients with a history of previous Cesarean s ection.