External cephalic version
Anesthesia type

None or epidural/CSE

Airway

Natural

Lines and access

1 PIV

Monitors

Standard OB bedside monitors (EKG, pulse ox, NIBP, fetal HR monitoring)

Primary anesthetic considerations
Preoperative
Intraoperative
Postoperative
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An external cephalic version is a maneuver performed by obstetric physicians to rotate a baby into vertex position in preparation for vaginal delivery.

Overview

Indications

  • Breech or transverse presentation
    • Ideally around 36-37 weeks gestation before the baby is too large

Surgical procedure

The maneuver can be performed at bedside using external force on the abdomen to rotate the baby. Ultrasound is used to confirm head position before, during, and after the maneuver. Fetal heart rate monitoring is used to closely monitor for fetal distress

Preoperative management

Patient evaluation

System Considerations
Airway
Neurologic
Cardiovascular
Pulmonary
Gastrointestinal
Hematologic
Renal
Endocrine
Other

Labs and studies

Operating room setup

Patient preparation and premedication

Regional and neuraxial techniques

Intraoperative management

Monitoring and access

Induction and airway management

Positioning

Maintenance and surgical considerations

Emergence

Postoperative management

Disposition

Pain management

Potential complications

Procedure variants

Variant 1 Variant 2
Unique considerations
Indications
Position
Surgical time
EBL
Postoperative disposition
Pain management
Potential complications

References