Management of Nonvertex Second Twin

Abstract

Objectives The objective of the current study is to compare outcomes of twin pregnancies with attempted labor and active second-stage management with twin pregnancies delivered by planned cesarean delivery. Material and Methods Two hundred and eighty-three patients with twin pregnancy meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed. They were followed for success of ECV and/or IPV in planned vaginal group and abdominal mode of delivery. Fetal outcome was assessed by APGAR score of both twins as well as NICU admission, if needed. Results Out of 283 patients, 116 patients (40.9 %) had planned cesarean section, and 167 patients (59.01 %) had planned vaginal delivery. Out of 167 patients, 148 patients (88.6 %) had a vagi nal delivery of both twins. ECV was successful in 36 patients (25.3 %), and IPV was successful in 102 (95.3 %). IPV failed in five patients (4.6 %), and hence resorted to emergency cesarean section. There was no significant difference in the rates of twin B having a 5-min Apgar score lower than 7 or an arterial cord pH below 7.20 in both the groups. Among the patients in the planned vaginal delivery group, the cesarean delivery rate was 8.3 %, out of which combined vaginal-cesarean delivery rate was 4.6 %. Conclusion Active second-stage management is associated with neonatal outcomes similar to those with planned cesarean delivery and a low risk of combined vaginalcesarean delivery.

Perinatal outcome according to chorionicity in twins — a Polish multicenter study

“…It is a rare but very serious complication, with the mortality rate of about 30-40% [23]. Ahmed [24] proved that successful external cephalic version or internal podalic version during vaginal delivery of the second non-vertex twin is not associated with compromised neonatal outcome in comparison to elective cesarean delivery.…”