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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

External Cephalic Version: Is it an Effective and Safe Procedure?
Published on: June 6, 2020
Anesthesia facilitation of external cephalic version: a meta-analysis
Alison J Macarthur1, Sophie Gagnon, Luminita M Tureanu
1Department of Anesthesia, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X5. alison.macarthur@uhn.on.ca
Objectives:
This study was undertaken to systematically review the medical literature to determine whether anesthesia facilitates the external cephalic version maneuver (ECV) for breech presentations. Study design A meta-analytic review of medical databases for randomized clinical trials comparing anesthesia with no anesthesia given for ECV attempts. The primary outcome was the immediate success of the ECV attempt.
Results:
The literature search revealed only 4 articles that met inclusion criteria. Four hundred eighty women participated in the studies and the use of anesthesia increased the success of ECV attempts (119/238 with anesthesia; 82/242 without anesthesia). The relative risk for this beneficial effect was 1.5 (95% CI 1.12-1.98) and number needed to treat was 7 (95% CI 4-14).
Conclusion:
Further study is required to assess maternal and neonatal safety with anesthesia administered for ECV maneuvers.
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