Stratification of outcome of shoulder dystocia according to maneuver used for delivery, retrospective cohort and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Shoulder dystocia is an unpredictable obstetric condition with potential long-term neonatal complications. The risk of neonatal injury might be related to the condition itself as well as to the obstetrics maneuvers used for its release.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the available evidence to assess current management and possible improvement of outcomes.

SEARCH STRATEGY: A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, and The Cochrane Library database was performed, all studies reporting on neonatal outcomes in cases of shoulder dystocia stratified by obstetric maneuvers used for delivery were included. Data abstraction was performed and checked by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

McRoberts maneuver was the least associated with risk of neonatal injury (odds ratio 0.6, 95% confidence interval 0.4-0.9), followed by delivery of posterior arm.

CONCLUSION

Delivery of posterior arm might be prioritized in cases of shoulder dystocia after failed McRoberts. Neonatal hypoxic injury correlates with the duration of dystocia rather than the maneuver used.