[Twin delivery: a survey of French obstetrical policies]. / Accouchement des grossesses gémellaires: enquête sur les politiques des maternités françaises.

OBJECTIVES: To describe obstetrical policy variations concerning the delivery management in the case of twins, at term. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A mail survey was undertaken among the medical supervisors of the maternity wards belonging to the AUDIPOG Network (N=170). RESULTS: The participating rate was 73.35%. 124 answers were analysed. Elective caesarean was realized by 0.8% of participants for diamniotic twins and by 57% of cases for monamniotic twins An elective caesarean is planned for respectively 74% of answers if first (J1) and second twin (J2) are in a breech presentation, 81% if J1 is in breech and J2 in cephalic presentation, and 68% if J1 is in breech and J2 in transverse presentation. Delivery with J1 in breech and J2 in cephalic presentation had a higher risk than a delivery of a single breech at term. When J1 and J2 had a breech presentation 73% of participants thought that this delivery is more difficult than a delivery of a single breech at term. However, they were only 17.5% to consider that a delivery of twin with J1 in cephalic and J2 in breech presentation had a higher risk than a single breech delivery. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Medical policy variations are not extensive except for X-ray pelvimetry and the presence for the delivery of one paediatrician and one anaesthesiologist. An elective caesarean policy for twins is infrequent in France.