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Fetal acoustic stimulation as an adjunct to external cephalic version
R L Johnson1, T H Strong, T G Radin
1Phoenix Perinatal Associates, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Arizona, USA.
The Journal of Reproductive Medicine
|October 1, 1995
Summary
Fetal acoustic stimulation (FAS) can help turn breech babies with a midline spine presentation. This method improved external cephalic version success rates from 0% to 94% in a small study.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Fetal Medicine
- Perinatal Care
Background:
- External cephalic version (ECV) is used to convert breech presentation to vertex.
- Fetal presentation with a midline spine is challenging for ECV.
- Fetal acoustic stimulation (FAS) is a potential adjunct to ECV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of FAS as an adjunct to ECV.
- To assess FAS in fetuses with a midline spine presentation.
- To determine if FAS improves ECV success rates.
Main Methods:
- A study evaluated FAS in women with breech presentation at 37 weeks' gestation.
- Patients with a midline fetal spine presentation underwent attempted ECV.
- If the initial ECV failed, FAS was applied using an electrolarynx device before a second ECV attempt.
- Patients served as their own controls.
Main Results:
- Sixteen patients were enrolled in the study.
- Prior to FAS, 0% of fetuses were successfully converted.
- FAS shifted the fetal spine from midline to lateral in 100% of cases.
- Following FAS, 94% of fetuses were successfully converted to vertex presentation.
Conclusions:
- FAS significantly improved the success rate of ECV in fetuses with a midline spine presentation.
- FAS is a promising adjunct for ECV in selected cases.
- Further research may confirm FAS as a valuable tool in obstetric practice.