External Cephalic Version

Abstract

Background: External cephalic version (ECV) is the first-line treatment in the management of uncomplicated breech presentation at term. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the success rate, factors associated with success, and obstetric outcome of ECV for breech presentation at term. Materials and Methods: This was a longitudinal interventional study of patients with breech presentation at term who underwent ECV at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 25.0 and a statistically significant association was determined using chi-square or Fisher exact test for categorical data as appropriate. Multinomial logistic regression was computed to find factors independently associated with ECV success. A value of P was set at <0.05. Result: The success rate of ECV was 78.5% (62/79). There were no differences in the mean age, parity, and gestational age at ECV between the successful and the unsuccessful groups with P = 0.19, 0.79, and 0.36, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that parous women, women who did not complain of pain during the procedure, women who weighed 80 kg or less, and women with an estimated fetal weight of <3.5 kg were significantly associated with successful ECV. There was an increased risk of postterm pregnancy and induction of labor among women with successful ECV. There were no maternal or fetal complications associated with the procedure. Conclusion: ECV is safe and associated with a high success rate. It should be offered routinely to all eligible women with breech at term.