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Eggebø TM, Hjartardottir H. Descent of the presenting part assessed with ultrasound. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:S901-S912. [PMID: 34461079 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Fetal head descent can be expressed as fetal station and engagement. Station is traditionally based on clinical vaginal examination of the distal part of the fetal skull and related to the level of the ischial spines. Engagement is based on a transabdominal examination of the proximal part of the fetal head above the pelvic inlet. Clinical examinations are subjective, and objective measurements of descent are warranted. Ultrasound is a feasible diagnostic tool in labor, and fetal lie, station, position, presentation, and attitude can be examined. This review presents an overview of fetal descent examined with ultrasound. Ultrasound was first introduced for examining fetal descent in 1977. The distance from the sacral tip to the fetal skull was measured with A-mode ultrasound, but more convenient transperineal methods have since been published. Of those, progression distance, angle of progression, and head-symphysis distance are examined in the sagittal plane, using the inferior part of the symphysis pubis as reference point. Head-perineum distance is measured in the frontal plane (transverse transperineal scan) as the shortest distance from perineum to the fetal skull, representing the remaining part of the birth canal for the fetus to pass. At high stations, the fetal head is directed downward, followed with a horizontal and then an upward direction when the fetus descends in the birth canal and deflexes the head. Head descent may be assessed transabdominally with ultrasound and measured as the suprapubic descent angle. Many observational studies have shown that fetal descent assessed with ultrasound can predict labor outcome before induction of labor, as an admission test, and during the first and second stage of labor. Labor progress can also be examined longitudinally. The International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends using ultrasound in women with prolonged or arrested first or second stage of labor, when malpositions or malpresentations are suspected, and before an operative vaginal delivery. One single ultrasound parameter cannot tell for sure whether an instrumental delivery is going to be successful. Information about station and position is a prerequisite, but head direction, presentation, and attitude also should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torbjørn M Eggebø
- National Center for Fetal Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helse Stavanger, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
| | - Hulda Hjartardottir
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
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Bellussi F, Di Mascio D, Salsi G, Ghi T, Dall’Asta A, Zullo F, Pilu G, Barros JG, Ayres-de-Campos D, Berghella V. Sonographic knowledge of occiput position to decrease failed operative vaginal delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 226:499-509. [PMID: 34492220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.08.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the efficacy of sonographic assessment of fetal occiput position before operative vaginal delivery to decrease the number of failed operative vaginal deliveries. DATA SOURCES The search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, ClinicalTrial.gov, Ovid, and Cochrane Library as electronic databases from the inception of each database to April 2021. No restrictions for language or geographic location were applied. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Selection criteria included randomized controlled trails of pregnant women randomized to either sonographic or clinical digital diagnosis of fetal occiput position during the second stage of labor before operative vaginal delivery. METHODS The primary outcome was failed operative vaginal delivery, defined as a failed fetal operative vaginal delivery (vacuum or forceps) extraction requiring a cesarean delivery or forceps after failed vacuum. The summary measures were reported as relative risks or as mean differences with 95% confidence intervals using the random effects model of DerSimonian and Laird. An I2 (Higgins I2) >0% was used to identify heterogeneity. RESULTS A total of 4 randomized controlled trials including 1007 women with singleton, term, cephalic fetuses randomized to either the sonographic (n=484) or clinical digital (n=523) diagnosis of occiput position during the second stage of labor before operative vaginal delivery were included. Before operative vaginal delivery, fetal occiput position was diagnosed as anterior in 63.5% of the sonographic diagnosis group vs 69.5% in the clinical digital diagnosis group (P=.04). There was no significant difference in the rate of failed operative vaginal deliveries between the sonographic and clinical diagnosis of occiput position groups (9.9% vs 8.2%; relative risk, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-1.68). Women randomized to sonographic diagnosis of occiput position had a significantly lower rate of occiput position discordance between the evaluation before operative vaginal delivery and the at birth evaluation when compared with those randomized to the clinical diagnosis group (2.3% vs 17.7%; relative risk, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.74; P=.02). There were no significant differences in any of the other secondary obstetrical and perinatal outcomes assessed. CONCLUSION Sonographic knowledge of occiput position before operative vaginal delivery does not seem to have an effect on the incidence of failed operative vaginal deliveries despite better sonographic accuracy in the occiput position diagnosis when compared with clinical assessment. Future studies should evaluate how a more accurate sonographic diagnosis of occiput position or other parameters can lead to a safer and more effective operative vaginal delivery technique.
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Youssef A, Brunelli E, Fiorentini M, Pilu G, El-Balat A. The correlation between levator ani co-activation and fetal head regression on maternal pushing at term. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2022; 35:9654-9660. [PMID: 35282757 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2022.2050363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the correlation between fetal head regression and levator ani muscle (LAM) co-activation under Valsalva maneuver. STUDY DESIGN This study was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study on the association between the angle of progression (AoP) and labor outcome. We scanned a group of nulliparous women at term before the onset of labor at rest and under maximum Valsalva maneuver. In addition to the previously calculated AoP, in the present study, we measured the anteroposterior diameter of LAM hiatus (APD) on each ultrasound image. LAM co-activation was defined as APD at Valsalva less than that at rest, whereas fetal head regression was defined as AoP at Valsalva less than that at rest. We calculated the correlation between the two phenomena. Finally, we examined various labor outcomes according to the presence, absence, or co-existence of these two phenomena. RESULTS We included 469 women. A total of 129 (27.5%) women presented LAM co-activation while 50 (10.7%) showed head regression. Only 15 (3.2%) women showed simultaneous head regression and LAM co-activation. Women with coexisting LAM co-activation and head regression had the narrowest AoP at Valsalva in comparison with other study groups (p < .001). In addition, they had the highest risk of Cesarean delivery (40%) and longest first, second, and active second stage durations, although none of these reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION In nulliparous women at term before the onset of labor fetal head regression and LAM co-activation at Valsalva are two distinct phenomena that uncommonly coexist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aly Youssef
- Obstetric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, IRCCS Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Brunelli
- Obstetric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, IRCCS Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marta Fiorentini
- Obstetric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, IRCCS Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Pilu
- Obstetric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, IRCCS Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ahmed El-Balat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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Kahrs BH, Eggebø TM. Intrapartum ultrasound in women with prolonged first stage of labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2021; 3:100427. [PMID: 34273584 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The first stage of labor is from the start of active labor until the cervix is fully dilatated. To assess labor progress during this stage, a clinical examination has traditionally been done. The cervical dilatation, fetal head position, and fetal head station are evaluated. Moreover, these observations can be made with an ultrasound examination. Studies have shown that traditional clinical examinations are subjective, have poor reproducibility, and are unreliable. Ultrasound examinations of the fetal head station and fetal head position in the first stage of labor might predict labor outcome and mode of delivery and can help in decision making when prolonged first stage of labor is diagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitte Heiberg Kahrs
- National Center for Fetal Medicine, Trondheim University Hospital (St. Olav's University Hospital), Trondheim, Norway (Drs Kahrs and Eggebø); Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway (Drs Kahrs and Eggebø).
| | - Torbjørn Moe Eggebø
- National Center for Fetal Medicine, Trondheim University Hospital (St. Olav's University Hospital), Trondheim, Norway (Drs Kahrs and Eggebø); Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway (Drs Kahrs and Eggebø)
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The role of the angle of progression in the prediction of the outcome of occiput posterior position in the second stage of labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2021; 225:81.e1-81.e9. [PMID: 33508312 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Occiput posterior position is the most frequent cephalic malposition, and its persistence at delivery is associated with a higher risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity. Diagnosis and management of occiput posterior position remain a clinical challenge. This is partly caused by our inability to predict fetuses who will spontaneously rotate into occiput anterior from those who will have persistent occiput posterior position. The angle of progression, measured with transperineal ultrasound, represents a reliable tool for the evaluation of fetal head station during labor. The relationship between the persistence of occiput posterior position and fetal head station in the second stage of labor has not been previously assessed. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the role of fetal head station, as measured by the angle of progression, in the prediction of persistent occiput posterior position and the mode of delivery in the second stage of labor. STUDY DESIGN We recruited a nonconsecutive series of women with posterior occiput position diagnosed by transabdominal ultrasound in the second stage of labor. For each woman, a transperineal ultrasound was performed to measure the angle of progression at rest. We compared the angle of progression between women who delivered fetuses in occiput anterior position and those with persistent occiput posterior position at delivery. Receiver operating characteristics curves were performed to evaluate the accuracy of the angle of progression in the prediction of persistent occiput posterior position. Finally, we performed a multivariate logistic regression to determine independent predictors of persistent occiput posterior position. RESULTS Overall, 63 women were included in the analysis. Among these, 39 women (62%) delivered in occiput anterior position, whereas 24 (38%) delivered in occiput posterior position (persistent occiput posterior position). The angle of progression was significantly narrower in the persistent occiput posterior position group than in women who delivered fetuses in occiput anterior position (118.3°±12.2° vs 127.5°±10.5°; P=.003). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.731 (95% confidence interval, 0.594-0.869) with an estimated best cutoff range of 121.5° (sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 67%). On logistic regression analysis, the angle of progression was found to be independently associated with persistence of occiput posterior position (odds ratio, 0.942; 95% confidence interval, 0.889-0.998; P=.04). Finally, women who underwent cesarean delivery had significantly narrower angle of progression than women who had a vaginal delivery (113.5°±8.1 vs 128.0°±10.7; P<.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for the prediction of cesarean delivery was 0.866 (95% confidence interval, 0.761-0.972). At multivariable logistic regression analysis including the angle of progression, parity, and gestational age at delivery, the angle of progression was found to be the only independent predictor associated with cesarean delivery (odds ratio, 0.849; 95% confidence interval, 0.775-0.0930; P<.001). CONCLUSION In fetuses with occiput posterior at the beginning of the second stage of labor, narrower values of the angle of progression are associated with higher rates of persistent occiput posterior position at delivery and a higher risk of cesarean delivery.
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There are 4, not 7, cardinal movements in labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2021; 3:100436. [PMID: 34214716 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The mechanics of labor describe the forces required for fetal descent, and the movements that the fetus must perform to overcome the resistance met by the maternal bony pelvis and soft tissue. The fetus negotiates the birth canal and rotational movements are necessary for descent. Anglo-American literature lists 7 cardinal movements, namely engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation, and expulsion. German and older English literature lists only 4 rotational movements as the cardinal movements and excludes engagement, descent, and expulsion. We would argue that descent is the main purpose of the uterine powers and cardinal movements, a description of the rotational movements the fetal head and shoulders must perform to obtain descent. Ultrasound offers a historically unique opportunity for noninvasive, dynamic studies of the mechanics of labor. The information gathered by clinical examination and ultrasound should be integrated into clinical decision making.
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Kamel R, Youssef A. How reliable is fetal occiput and spine position assessment prior to induction of labor? ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2019; 53:535-540. [PMID: 29947161 DOI: 10.1002/uog.19169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the reliability of fetal occiput and spine position determination in nulliparous women prior to induction of labor (IOL), and to evaluate identification of fetal occiput and spine positions prior to IOL in the prediction of labor outcome. METHODS A series of 136 nulliparous women were recruited prospectively, immediately after the decision to perform IOL was made. Transabdominal ultrasound was performed to determine fetal head and spine positions. After at least 1 h, and prior to IOL, fetal occiput and spine positions were reassessed. Fetal occiput and spine positions were then compared between women who underwent vaginal delivery and those who delivered by Cesarean section. RESULTS On the first and second assessments, respectively, fetal occiput position was anterior in 55 (40.4%) and 62 (45.6%) women, transverse in 52 (38.2%) and 49 (36.0%) women, and posterior in 29 (21.3%) and 25 (18.4%) women, while fetal spine position was anterior in 58 (42.6%) and 52 (38.2%) women, transverse in 42 (30.9%) and 50 (36.8%) women, and posterior in 36 (26.5%) and 34 (25.0%) women. Discordance between the first and second assessments of fetal occiput position was identified in 34 (25.0%) women, whereas discordance of fetal spine position was observed in 40 (29.4%) women. The incidence of fetal occiput posterior position in women undergoing Cesarean section was comparable to that in the vaginal-delivery group (19 (18.8%) vs 6 (17.1%); P = 0.826), which was similarly the case for fetal posterior spine position (27 (26.7%) vs 7 (20%); P = 0.428). Women with fetal occiput posterior position had a longer induction-to-delivery interval in comparison to those with non-occiput posterior fetal position (1786 ± 805 vs 1347 ± 784 min; P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS Fetal occiput and spine positions are dynamic in a considerable proportion of women undergoing IOL, and their assessment does not seem to correlate with mode of delivery. Occiput and spine position assessment in women prior to IOL is unlikely to be clinically useful. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kamel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasr Al-Ainy University Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A Youssef
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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The use of intrapartum ultrasound to diagnose malpositions and cephalic malpresentations. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2017; 217:633-641. [PMID: 28743440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Fetal malpositions and cephalic malpresentations are well-recognized causes of failure to progress in labor. They frequently require operative delivery, and are associated with an increased probability of fetal and maternal complications. Traditional obstetrics emphasizes the role of digital examinations, but recent studies demonstrated that this approach is inaccurate and intrapartum ultrasound is far more precise. The objective of this review is to summarize the current body of literature and provide recommendations to identify malpositions and cephalic malpresentations with ultrasound. We propose a systematic approach consisting of a combination of transabdominal and transperineal scans and describe the findings that allow an accurate diagnosis of normal and abnormal position, flexion, and synclitism of the fetal head. The management of malpositions and cephalic malpresentation is currently a matter of debate, and individualized depending on the general clinical picture and expertise of the provider. Intrapartum sonography allows a precise diagnosis and therefore offers the best opportunity to design prospective studies with the aim of establishing evidence-based treatment. The article is accompanied by a video that demonstrates the sonographic technique and findings.
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Salsi G, Cataneo I, Dodaro G, Rizzo N, Pilu G, Sanz Gascón M, Youssef A. Three-dimensional/four-dimensional transperineal ultrasound: clinical utility and future prospects. Int J Womens Health 2017; 9:643-656. [PMID: 28979167 PMCID: PMC5602462 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s103789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last decade, there has been a huge advancement in the use of transperineal ultrasound (TPU) in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Its main applications in obstetrics include the monitoring of fetal progression in labor and recently the assessment of maternal pelvic dimensions, whereas in gynecology, TPU is at present widely used for the evaluation of the female pelvic floor, opening new boundaries for the assessment of pelvic floor disorders. The association of volumetric three-dimensional techniques has largely contributed to the remarkable progress that has occurred in the use of TPU. The aim of this paper is to offer an overview of the advantages, challenges and future perspectives of the use of TPU for women’s imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ginevra Salsi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cataneo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gaia Dodaro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Rizzo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Pilu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mar Sanz Gascón
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, La Fé University Hospital, University of Valencia.,Prenatal Diagnosis Unit, Casa del Salud University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - Aly Youssef
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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