IMR Press / CEOG / Volume 49 / Issue 11 / DOI: 10.31083/j.ceog4911257
Open Access Original Research
Effect of Super-Specialization in External Cephalic Version: A Comparative Study
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1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Virgen de la Arrixaca' University Clinical Hospital, 30120 Murcia, Spain
2 Department of Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics of University of Murcia, 30120 Murcia, Spain
*Correspondence: javier.sanchez14@um.es (Javier Sánchez-Romero)
Academic Editor: Ugo Indraccolo
Clin. Exp. Obstet. Gynecol. 2022, 49(11), 257; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.ceog4911257
Submitted: 2 July 2022 | Revised: 24 August 2022 | Accepted: 26 August 2022 | Published: 16 November 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Research of Epidemiology in Pregnant Women)
Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Background: The introduction of an experienced dedicated team is not a completely studied fact. Several studies reported a high external cephalic version (ECV) success rate when the procedure is executed by a single operator or a dedicated team. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of the ECV when the procedure is performed by senior experienced obstetricians or by super-specialized professionals who composed a dedicated team. Methods: Longitudinal retrospective analysis of ECV performed in a tertiary hospital. From 1 January 2018 to 1 October 2019, ECV were performed by two senior experienced obstetricians who composed the dedicated team for ECV, designed as Group A. From 1 October 2019 to 31 December 2019, ECV was performed by two seniors obstetricians, designed as Group B. Ritodrine was administered during 30 minutes just before the procedure. Propofol was used for sedation. Results: 186 pregnant women were recruited (150 patients in group A and 36 patients in group B). ECV success rate increased from 47.2% (31.7–63.2) in Group B to 74.0% (66.6–80.5) in Group A (p = 0.002). The greatest increase in the success rate of ECV was seen in nulliparae, from 38.5% (21.8–57.6) in group B to 69.1% (59.4–77.6) (p = 0.004). Complications rate decreased from 22.2% (11.1–37.6) in Group B to 9.3% (5.5–14.8) in Group A (p = 0.032). Conclusions: The introduction of an experienced dedicated team improves ECV success rate, especially in primiparas, and it also reduces ECV complications rate.

Keywords
sedation
experience
ECV
breech presentation
Figures
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