Recurrent Shoulder Dystocia: A Review

Recurrent Shoulder Dystocia: A Review

Objective. The goals of this review were to determine the incidence of recurrent shoulder dystocia and
the incidence of brachial plexus injury in such cases.
Materials and Methods. A search of PubMed was conducted between 1980 and March 2009. Odds
ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.
Results. The search yielded 191 publications, of which 9 provided complete data; these were used to
calculate the incidence of recurrent shoulder dystocia. The rate of shoulder dystocia in the prior preg-
nancies was 1.64% (31,311/1,911,014). Among 10,591 known subsequent vaginal births, the rate of
recurrent shoulder dystocia was 12% (OR, 8.25; 95% CI, 7.77, 8.76). Brachial plexus injury occurred
significantly more often during recurrent shoulder dystocia than during the first shoulder dystocia (4% vs.
1%; OR, 3.59; 95% CI, 2.44, 5.29; or 45/1000 vs. 13/1000 births).
Conclusion. About 12% of parturients with a history of shoulder dystocia have a recurrent dystocia in
the subsequent pregnancy, a risk of about 1 in 8. Brachial plexus injury occurs in 19/1000 vaginal births
during the first episode of shoulder dystocia, and in 45/1000 vaginal births after recurrent dystocia.
Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologist, Family Physicians
Learning Objectives: After completion of this educational activity, the reader will be able to compare
the risk of primary versus recurrent shoulder dystocia. Formulate counseling and treatment strategies for
pregnant women who have had a prior pregnancy complicated by shoulder dystocia. Assess the strength
of the evidence suggesting the risk of recurrent shoulder dystocia.



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