ABSTRACT
To review the mode of breech delivery over a 4-year period in Nizwa Hospital, and to evaluate the trend and associated complications. Computer data recordings, delivery suite and Special Care Baby Unit records of women, who delivered at Nizwa hospital between 1st January 1999 and 31st December 2002, were analysed There were 286 term breech deliveries constituting 2.8% of the entire deliveries in the hospital; 49.6% of the breeches were delivered by Caesarean section while 50.3% had assisted vaginal delivery [P = 0.93] Amongst 70 primigravidae breeches, 48[68%] were delivered by Caesarean section, while 92 [42.5%] out of 216 multigravidae were delivered by Caesarean section. Congenital anomalies contributed three neonatal deaths, one among the vaginal delivery and two among the Caesarean section group in multigravidae. The only neonatal death in primigravidae group was due to birth asphyxia as a result of late admission in late second stage of labour with severe fetal bradycardia. Thus no neonatal death or fresh stillbirth could be attributed to assisted vaginal delivery. There was one case of fracture humerus in a primigravida who delivered by assisted vaginal delivery Considering the fact that most practicing obstetricians seem to be more inclined towards delivering breeches by Caesarean section, the art of assisted delivery is still practiced in our setting with an equally favourable outcome as that of Caesarean section mode of delivery