Epidemiologic Reports SurveysExternal Cephalic Version: Some Tricks of the TradeSkupski, Daniel W. MD; Ghidini, Alessandro MD Author Information Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY Obstetric Anesthesia Digest 37(3):p 128, September 2017. | DOI: 10.1097/01.aoa.0000521223.90567.5d Buy Metrics Abstract (Birth. 2016;43(3):189–192) One of the major causes of cesarean delivery with its higher risk of maternal morbidity and mortality is fetal malpresentation. External cephalic version (ECV) is a technique that has a success rate of about 50% in reversing breech presentation at term, thus reducing the risk of cesarean delivery. Yet in the Netherlands alone there is a varied rate of utilizing ECV (8% to 84%). This technique that promotes maternal and fetal safety would be more frequently used if more practitioners, such as obstetricians and midwives, were aware of the technique. Hence the purpose of this commentary was to highlight the features of ECV, including ECV timing, location, maternal characteristics and positioning, and use of ultrasonography, tocolytics and neuraxial analgesia as well as ensuring intravenous access. Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
