External cephalic version for breech presentation at term

Cochrane Review by Hofmeyr GJ, Kulier R

This record should be cited as: Hofmeyr GJ, Kulier R. External cephalic version for breech presentation at term. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD000083. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000083.

ABSTRACT

Title

External cephalic version for breech presentation at term

Background

Management of breech presentation is controversial, particularly in regard to manipulation of the position of the fetus by external cephalic version (ECV). ECV may reduce the number of breech presentations and caesarean sections, but there also have been reports of complications with the procedure.

Objectives

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of ECV at or near term on measures of pregnancy outcome. Methods of facilitating ECV, and ECV before term are reviewed separately.

Search strategy

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Trials Register (April 2005), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2005) and PubMed (1966 to December 2004).

Selection criteria

Randomised trials of ECV at or near term (with or without tocolysis) compared with no attempt at ECV in women with breech presentation.

Data collection and analysis

Both authors assessed eligibility and trial quality, and extracted the data.

Main results

Five studies were included. The pooled data from these studies show a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in non-cephalic birth (five trials, 433 women; relative risk (RR) 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18 to 0.80) and caesarean section (five trials, 433 women; RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.91) when ECV was attempted. There were no significant differences in the incidence of Apgar score ratings below seven at one minute (two trials, 108 women; RR 0.95, 95% 0.47 to 1.89) or five minutes (four trials, 368 women; RR 0.76, 95% 0.32 to 1.77), low umbilical artery pH levels (one trial, 52 women; RR 0.65, 95% 0.17 to 2.44), neonatal admission (one trial, 52 women; RR 0.36, 95% 0.04 to 3.24), perinatal death (five trials, 433 women; RR 0.51, 95% 0.05 to 5.54), nor time from enrolment to delivery (2 trials, 256 women; weighted mead difference -0.25 days, 95% -2.81 to 2.31).

Authors' conclusions

Attempting cephalic version at term reduces the chance of non-cephalic births and caesarean section. There is not enough evidence from randomised trials to assess complications of external cephalic version at term. Large observational studies suggest that complications are rare.