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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
External Cephalic Version: Is it an Effective and Safe Procedure?
Published on: June 6, 2020
Impact of a regional simulation-based training course in the implementation of external cephalic version:
Luísa Pinto1, Andreia Fonseca1,2, Diogo Ayres-de-Campos1,3
1Lisbon Medical School, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
Objective:
The aims of this study were to assess whether a regional simulation-based training course in external cephalic version (ECV) would lead to the adoption of this technique in hospitals where it was not previously practiced, and to improve success rates in those already performing it.
Methods:
This was an intervention study where two specialists in obstetrics and gynecology from 10 Portuguese public maternity hospitals attended a structured simulation-based training in ECV. Hospitals were categorized based on whether ECV was conducted prior to the training program, and on their annual number of deliveries. Main outcomes were the number of ECVs performed in the 2 years before and after the course, and their success rates.
Results:
Implementation of ECV was achieved in four additional hospitals during the 2 years following the course. Among the three hospitals already performing ECV and able to report their data, no significant differences in success rates were observed in the 2 years following the course (45.6% vs. 47.9%, P = 0.797). After a successful ECV, 77.7% of women had a vaginal delivery.
Conclusion:
A regional simulation-based training course in ECV led to an increase in the number of hospitals implementing the technique in the subsequent 2 years, but it did not impact the success rates in centers where it was already performed. This study highlights the potential of simulation-based courses in ECV, as well as the need to improve patients' access to the technique and to centralize ECV services at a regional level.
