Diagnostic criteria and the management of dystocia.

Cephalopelvic disproportion has been identified as making an important contribution to the rising cesarean birth rate. O'Driscoll and colleagues in Dublin, Ireland, have suggested replacement of cephalopelvic disproportion by the term dystocia for failure of labor to progress and have defined two major subcategories: (1) true cephalopelvic disproportion, and (2) inefficient uterine action. A chart audit of reported indications for cesarean birth in a family practice residency population was done, and patients were classified using the O'Driscoll et al diagnostic criteria for dystocia. When reclassified, the percentage of cesarean births in this population for true cephalopelvic disproportion did not differ significantly from that reported from Dublin (6.1 as compared with 8.8), while the percentage done for inefficient uterine action was significantly greater (35.4 as compared with 4.2). This finding suggests there is a set of labors amenable to a management strategy that could result in a decrease in the cesarean birth rates if efficient uterine action is assured with adequate use of oxytocin.