External cephalic version: predictors of success.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate predictive variables for successful external cephalic version.


METHODS
During 1987-1996, 128 women had external cephalic version attempts. Uterine tone, fetal spine position, breech location, breech type, gestational age, placental location, parity, maternal weight, amniotic fluid index, and estimated fetal weight were evaluated as predictors of success.


RESULTS
Seventy-eight (64%) women were successfully converted from breech to vertex presentation. All subjects with low uterine tone had successful version. In women with high uterine tone, the combination of anterior or lateral fetal spine, noncornual placental location, and breech location out of the pelvis predicted success. Other independent variables associated with successful version included non-frank breech presentation, gestational age under 38 weeks, and parity of at least 1.


CONCLUSIONS
Uterine tone may be the most important predictor of success when selecting candidates for external cephalic version.
Aisenbrey
G A
GA
University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, USA.
Catanzarite
V A
VA
Nelson
C
C
D001946:Breech Presentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012074:Remission Induction; D014710:Version, Fetal / Q000379:methods*