Combined vaginal-abdominal delivery of twins.

All cases of combined vaginal-abdominal deliveries at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, over an eight-year period (1984-1991) were reviewed. During this period a total of 38,821 deliveries took place. Of 722 (1.9%) twin deliveries, 354 (48.8%) were by cesarean section; 19 were combined deliveries, including 5% of all twins delivered by cesarean section and 2.6% of all twins delivered. High transverse lie and prolapse of the umbilical cord were the main indications for delivery by cesarean section of the second twin. In order to diminish the number of combined deliveries and to increase obstetric skills and experience, a program or protocol for vaginal twin deliveries is indicated.