목적: External cephalic version (ECV) has long been tried widely over the world. Recent systemic reviews have shown that serious complications were very rare. Given this low complication rate, RCOG guidelines state that starvation, anesthetic premedication and intravenous access are unnecessary for ECV. Most of serious complications have been reported to be related with excessive pushing pressure exerted upon uterus. Therefore we suppose that ECV could be done safely with minimal preparations for emergency Cesarean sections if carried out with slight pressure upon uterus. In this study, we tried to evaluate the safety issue of ECVs performed at out patient department (OPD).
방법: During 16 study months (from March 2015 to June 2016), two hundred three ECVs were done in out institute on singleton pregnancies (over 35 gestational weeks). After ultrasound examination, digital abdominal palpation was done to feel softness of uterus. On site ECV at ultrasound room was tried with minimal pressure when uterus felt soft. No specific preparations (intravenous access lines, confirmation for starvation status, laboratory results for Cesarean section, etc) were made before ECV at OPD. ECV at DR was arranged within 2-3 days after ultrasound exam with full preparations for emergent Cesarean section. Factors affecting success and failure were reviewed and compared between ECV at DR group and ECV at OPD.
결과: Overall success rate of ECV was 79.8%. ECV at OPD were done successfully on 59 cases (29.0 %). The number of successful ECV at DR was 103 (71.5%). Transient bradycardia was developed in 8 cases of ECV at OPD (13 %). One emergency Cesarean section was done due to abrupt vaginal bleeding after successful ECV at OPD. Compare to ECV at DR, ECV at OPD shows higher amniotic fluid index (6.2 vs 5.6) and directions of ECV rotation were more counter-clock wise (66.1% vs 50.5%). Fetal positions were less frank breech type in ECV at OPD (35.6% vs 46.6%). Mean procedure time of ECVs at OPD and at DR were 8.9 seconds and 8 min 58 seconds.
결론: In selected cases, ECV can be done at OPD base with minimal risk.