Neurological outcomes by mode of delivery for fetuses with open neural tube defects: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the optimal mode of delivery for fetuses with open neural tube defects. OBJECTIVE: To compare neurological outcomes among infants with open neural tube defects who underwent vaginal compared with caesarean delivery. SEARCH STRATEGY: Electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched from inception to November 2017. SELECTION CRITERIA: Eligible studies included observational or randomised studies comparing vaginal and caesarean delivery in pregnancies with fetal open neural tube defects who did not undergo prenatal repair. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently reviewed abstracts and full-text articles. Outcomes were compared between vaginal and caesarean delivery and prelabour caesarean versus exposure to labour. The primary outcome was motor-anatomic level difference. Secondary outcomes included shunt requirement, sac disruption, meningitis, and ambulation at 2 years. Meta-analysis was performed and mean difference or odds ratios with 95% CI were calculated. MAIN RESULTS: Of 201 abstracts identified in the primary search, nine studies (672 women) met the eligibility criteria. Comparing vaginal and caesarean delivery, there was no significant difference in motor-anatomic level difference (mean difference -0.10, 95% CI -0.58 to 0.38; I2  = 57%). The vaginal delivery group was less likely to require a shunt or have sac disruption [odds ratio (OR) 0.37, 95% CI 0.14-0.95 and OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.23-0.90, respectively]. Comparisons by prelabour caesarean versus exposure to labour showed no significant difference in motor-anatomic level difference (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.63-3.21) or ambulation at 2 years (OR 2.13, 95% CI 0.35-13.12). CONCLUSION: Caesarean delivery was not associated with improved neurological outcomes among fetuses with open neural tube defects. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Available evidence does not support routine caesarean delivery for fetuses with open neural tube defects.

Lessons learned from a single institution's retrospective analysis of emergent cesarean delivery following external cephalic version with and without neuraxial anesthesia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the risk of emergent cesarean delivery with the use of neuraxial anesthesia for external cephalic version in a single practice. BACKGROUND: Randomized trials have shown increased external cephalic version success when neuraxial anesthesia is used, without additional risk. We hypothesized that in our actual clinical practice, outside the confines of randomized trials, neuraxial anesthesia could be associated with an increased risk of emergent cesarean delivery. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all women who underwent external cephalic version at a single institution with and without neuraxial anesthesia. The primary outcome was the incidence of emergent cesarean delivery (defined as delivery within 4hours of version). Secondary outcomes were version success and ultimate mode of delivery. RESULTS: A total of 135 women underwent external cephalic version procedures; 58 with neuraxial anesthesia (43.0%) and 77 without (57.0%). Location of the procedure, tocolytic therapy, and gestational age were different between groups. An increased rate of emergent cesarean delivery was found in procedures with neuraxial anesthesia compared to procedures without (5/58 (8.6%) compared to 0/77 (0.0%); 95% CI for difference, 1.4 to 15.8%; P=0.013). CONCLUSION: In this single hospital's practice, patients who may be at higher risk of complications and have a lesser likelihood of success were provided NA for ECV. As a result, the use of neuraxial anesthesia for external cephalic version was associated with a higher rate of emergent cesarean delivery. Obstetric and anesthetic practices should evaluate their patient selection and procedure protocol for external cephalic version under neuraxial anesthesia.