Reverse breech extraction in cases of second stage caesarean section

Abstract

Our objective was to examine the feasibility of reverse breech extraction to disengage fetal head from the pelvis at second stage caesarean section (CS). A total of 50 consecutive women with singleton term pregnancies undergoing urgent CS at second stage were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 29 were delivered by the reverse breech manoeuvre (study group) and 21 women were delivered by the conventional approach (control group). The reverse breech extraction was successful in all cases of the study group. The mean estimated blood loss during operation, haemoglobin drop, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min as well as cord PH were similar between the groups. The mean newborn weights were similar, 3492 ± 426 and 3610 ± 392 g in the study and control group, respectively. One case of an inadvertent extension of the low transverse incision was encountered in each group. Also, in three cases of the study group the incision was intentionally extended to an inverted T-shape to facilitate the manoeuvre. None of the newborns in both groups had trauma related to the extraction or were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. All women following CS had a low rate complication rate in the postpartum period. We conclude that reverse breech extraction seems to be feasible to disengage fetal head from the pelvis at second stage CS. Maternal and newborn complications following this manoeuvre seem to be low.

Keywords::

• Caesarean section
• disengagement
• dystocia
• reverse breech
• second stage

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.