[Risk assessment of active obstetrical intervention in relation to delivery time interval in the control of vaginal twin delivery].

In connection with the vaginal delivery of twins, different opinions exist among obstetricians as to whether the time interval between the birth of both twins influences the often reported higher perinatal mortality and morbidity of the second twin. During the period from January 1, 1982, to December 12, 1987, we had 176 twin deliveries (1.5%), among a total number of 11,395, from which, after vaginal birth of twin A, in 96 cases twin B was born alive. In this study group, we analysed retrospectively our active obstetrical management in respect of relations between time interval on the one hand and perinatal mortality, operation frequency and foetal outcome of the second born twin on the other. The perinatal mortality rate, as defined by the WHO was 4.2% and excluding stillborns and children with a birth weight of less than 1,000 g, only 0.3%. We could not identify the influence of the time interval on perinatal mortality, which was equal for both twins. The frequency of surgical interventions rose from 12.8% when twin B was born within 20 min, to 38.8% when it was delivered after this time interval. An adverse foetal outcome judged by APGAR-score could not be proved. Shortening the time interval by active obstetrical management is of value in order to reduce potential risks for the mother and the second born twin, but it should be borne in mind, that the results of our study are positively influenced by the primary selection criteria of mode of delivery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)