[External fetal version from breech to vertex presentation. Evaluation of 1,000 cases]

Results of 1000 external versions of foetuses from breech to vertex presentation under tocolysis were evaluated. The rate of success of the versions was 52%. The success rate improved with gestational age, with increasing parity, with increasing age of the mother and her increasing body weight. The location of the placenta did not play a decisive role. The success rate of the version was remarkably good, even, in cases with small-for-gestational age foetuses and large-for-gestational age foetuses as well as in cases with a previous Caesarean section. The frequency of typical complications and the resulting Caesarean rate of 2.3% are within the acceptable limit. Up to now, from a total of more than 1,500 versions performed at the Department of Obstetrics at the Women's Hospital, Berlin-Neukölln, no death of either mother or child has occurred, which could be related to this procedure. Of course, the prerequisite for a safe version is strict adherence to the essential guidelines. The fact, that versions are not practised in all obstetrical departments, is partly due to the embarrassing lack of expert knowledge on the part of some practitioners and clinicians. In numerous cases, a moderately difficult laparotomy--which Caesarean section is in principle--with all the inevitable risks and dangers, could have been prevented, if a version had been performed.