External cephalic version does not increase the risk of intra-uterine death: a 17-year experience and literature review

Abstract

Objective: To assess the risk of intra-uterine death (IUD) after external cephalic version (ECV).

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 1078 consecutive ECVs performed between January 1994 and March 2011 in an University teaching hospital were extracted from the computerized database to examine the risk of IUD after ECV.

Results: A total of 1078 consecutive ECVs were performed over the study period. The overall successful rate was 72.8%, the successful rate was 63.1% in nulliparous and 82.7% in multiparous, respectively (p < 0.001). There was no IUD identified within 24 h after the procedure and there was only one case of IUD (0.09%) that occurred 4 weeks after an uncomplicated ECV.

Conclusions: ECV is a safe procedure that does not increase the risk of IUD within and after 24 h of enrollment irrespective of outcome of ECV. Our findings have important clinical implication in terms of patient counseling regarding the decision on term breech management.