Preoperative predictors of successful External Cephalic Version with breech presentation at term: a single centre experience

Abstract

Objective To determine the factors associated with the external cephalic version (ECV) and evaluate the success rate ECV of at term in China. Methods 207 consecutive patients who attempted ECV with a breech presentation at term were included from January 2017 to January 2023. Patients with a successful ECV were divided into the ECV success group. Patients who performed ECV but had a repeat breech presentation were divided into the ECV failure group. The factors for ECV success was carried out by multiple logistic regression analyses. Results The success rate of ECV was 68.6%(142/207) among 207 pregnancies with breech presentation at term. The reasons for failed ECV were not turning at all after four to five attempts(38/65, 58.5%), followed by fetal distress(7/65, 10.8%). Three predictive factors were identified and associated with a successful ECV: larger AFI, the use of tubutaline and lower HC/FL ratio. Conclusions This ECV prediction model based on a Chinese population to predict the success of ECV that is easy to use and incorporates a limited number of objective patient characteristics. The level of AFI, use of tubutaline, and ratio of HC/FL are independent determinants of the final presentation.