Evaluation of the method of delivery in breech presentations

The authors report a retrospective study based upon 543 breech deliveries at term, collected between 1987 and 1990. The cesarean section rate was 18.4 per cent. It was prophylactic in 56 cases. When the possibility of vaginal delivery was accepted, cesarean section was performed in 9 per cent of cases. Fetal mortality and morbidity were higher with vaginal delivery. However, maternal morbidity was greater in the cesarean section group. Study of the literature shows that the increase in cesarean section rate in recent years is not the only factor responsible for improved fetal prognosis. It is therefore important to restrain this increase and find the optimum percentage rate.