Cephalocentesis with the modified Smellie's perforator

Abstract

A 37-year-old pregnant woman, gravida 2, para 0, was referred to Ramathibodi Hospital at 31 weeks of gestation with the diagnosis of hydrocephalus and polyhydramnios. Repeated ultrasound scans revealed hydrocephalus with macrocephaly (BPD = 10.3 cm), polyhydramnios (AFI = 31.5), and a suspected esophageal atresia. After counseling, both parents decided not to pursue the pregnancy and requested vaginal delivery. They decided against transabdominal, ultrasonic-guided cephalocentesis because of its invasiveness, patient's awareness, and pain. Skull decompression with the modified Smellie's perforator was performed after five 400-μg doses of misoprostol were applied to dilate the cervix. The post-partum condition was uneventful. Fetal skull decompression with the modified Smellie's perforator and misoprostol for cervix dilation is a useful, simple, and safe procedure that can be performed with no previous experience. © 2002 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.