Historical Development of External Cephalic Version
The question asks about identifying a healthcare provider who helped develop external cephalic version (ECV), but the available evidence does not identify a specific individual who developed this procedure. The provided studies focus on contemporary clinical practice, safety, and efficacy of ECV rather than its historical origins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
What the Evidence Shows
The available literature demonstrates that:
ECV has been an established obstetric procedure for decades, with clinical experience documented as far back as 1986 in the medical literature, though the procedure itself predates this documentation 2.
The 1986 study by the Journal of Perinatal Medicine describes ECV as an already-established technique using a "single operator, head-over-heels technique" with specific protocols including ultrasound guidance and fetal monitoring, suggesting the procedure was well-developed by that time 2.
No specific physician or historical figure is credited in any of the guideline or research evidence provided for developing or pioneering the ECV technique 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Clinical Context
While the historical developer cannot be identified from this evidence:
ECV is now recommended by major scientific committees worldwide as an alternative to cesarean section for breech presentation 1.
The procedure has evolved significantly with modern refinements including real-time ultrasound guidance, tocolysis with terbutaline, and standardized monitoring protocols 2.
Contemporary success rates range from 50-100% depending on patient factors, with the procedure considered safe with serious complications occurring in less than 0.4% of cases 1, 2.
The historical origins and specific developer of ECV are not documented in the available clinical evidence, which focuses exclusively on modern clinical practice and outcomes rather than historical attribution.