Management of delayed-interval delivery in multiple gestations.

OBJECTIVE

Proving that delayed delivery is possible, debating its modality, suggesting a guideline for its managing.

METHOD: Six cases of delayed delivery were treated at the Maternity Hospital of Nancy, between 1979 and 2001, and the results were compared to a literature review of 148 found thanks to Medline database.

RESULTS

Delayed delivery reduces the risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity. The delivery interval is 2-93 (median 7) days in our experience and 2-153 (median 31) days in the literature. After the first expulsion, cerclage was used in 60% of the cases, prophylactic tocolysis and antibiotics in 79% and 71%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

There is no consensus for its management but it must be performed with precise conditions to restrict both maternal and fetal risks. Our study is supporting an interventionist attitude with cerclage, prophylactic tocolysis and antibiotics.