Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
External Cephalic Version: Is it an Effective and Safe Procedure?
Published on: June 6, 2020
[Determining factors for the success of external cephalic version: a retrospective study of 439 cases]
1Service de médecine foeto-maternelle, CHU Brugmann, 4, place A. Van Gehuchten, 1020 Bruxelles, Belgique. Gilles.Faron@chu-brugmann.be
Objective:
To evaluate prognostic factors of the external cephalic version.
Material And Methods:
A retrospective study of 439 external versions between January 1, 1996 and June 30, 2007 in a level III maternity in Brussels.
Results:
The success rate of external cephalic version in this series was 37.6%. No major fetal complication was observed. Multiparity, newborn weight over 3000 g, fetal position with the back on the right, medical expertise and maternal weight gain during pregnancy less or equal to 9 kg are good prognostic factors. According to this success rate and the caesarean section rate for breech presentation during this period, we can estimate that one caesarean would be avoided for every five to six attempts of versions.
Conclusion:
External version in case of breech presentation at term deserves to be tempted. This technique appears to be well-tolerated by fetuses and reduces the number of caesarean sections. Success rate will be higher when the patient presents one or more good prognostic factors described above.
