What is the Pinard maneuver during vaginal breech delivery?

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The Pinard Maneuver During Vaginal Breech Delivery

The Pinard maneuver is not specifically described in the provided evidence, which focuses primarily on impacted fetal head management during cesarean delivery and other breech delivery techniques.

Based on the available evidence, I can provide information about various techniques used in breech deliveries, though the specific Pinard maneuver is not detailed in the provided materials.

Breech Delivery Techniques Described in the Evidence

  • Reverse Breech Extraction (Pull Technique): This involves the operator grasping one or both feet, applying traction toward the woman's feet to deliver the legs and abdomen, rotating the body in the midline to deliver each arm in turn, and applying traction toward the woman's head to deliver the baby's head 1

  • Patwardhan Method: A modification of reverse breech extraction where an assistant introduces their whole hand into the vagina to cup the baby's head with the woman's legs supported in semilithotomy 1

Important Considerations for Breech Deliveries

  • Proper technique is crucial as errors in performing breech extractions may increase the risk of femoral and humeral fractures 1

  • The use of a single forceps blade or ventouse as a lever to disimpact the fetal head is considered dangerous and should be avoided 1, 2

  • Vacuum-assisted delivery has been described for frank breech presentations, though it carries potential risks 2, 3

  • All fours position has been studied as an alternative position for breech delivery, with potential benefits of reduced maternal perineal injuries, though with some evidence of increased prenatal hypoxic stress 4

Challenges and Complications

  • Breech presentation and delivery represent major potential morbidity and mortality risks to both mother and fetus if techniques are not performed correctly 5

  • Entrapment of the fetal head is a serious complication that may require emergency interventions 6

  • There is limited high-quality research evidence comparing different breech delivery techniques, resulting in a lack of consensus regarding which approach is safest 1

Training and Expertise

  • Specialist training is required for breech delivery techniques, and many obstetricians may not be familiar with how to perform them properly 1

  • A wide variation in practice exists due to the paucity of evidence-based guidelines and lack of multiprofessional training 1

The evidence provided does not specifically describe the Pinard maneuver for vaginal breech delivery, focusing instead on other techniques such as reverse breech extraction and the Patwardhan method.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Vacuum-Assisted Delivery and Risk of Subgaleal Hemorrhage

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Research

[Assisted vaginal delivery using the vacuum extractor in frank breech presentation].

Journal de gynecologie, obstetrique et biologie de la reproduction, 2008

Research

A novel technique for a difficult breech delivery.

The Journal of emergency medicine, 2012

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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