Instrumental Rotation for Persistent Fetal Occiput Posterior Position: A Way to Decrease Maternal and Neonatal Injury?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate immediate perineal and neonatal morbidity associated with instrumental rotations performed with Thierry’s spatulas for the management of persistent posterior occiput (OP) positions. METHODS: Retrospective study including all persistent occiput posterior positions with vaginal OP delivery, from August 2006 to September 2007. Occiput anterior deliveries following successful instrumental rotation were included as well. We compared maternal and neonatal immediate outcomes between spontaneous deliveries, rotational and non rotational assisted deliveries, using χ(2) and Anova tests. RESULTS: 157 patients were enrolled, comprising 46 OP spontaneous deliveries, 58 assisted OP deliveries and 53 deliveries after rotational procedure. Instrumental rotation failed in 9 cases. Mean age and parity were significantly higher in the spontaneous delivery group, while labor duration was shorter. There were no significant differences in the rate of severe perineal tears and neonatal adverse outcomes between the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: Instrumental rotation using Thierry’s spatulas was not associated with a reduced risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity for persistent OP deliveries. Further studies are required to define the true interest of such procedure in modern obstetrics.