Clinical Trial of the Use of Moxibustion in Version for Breech Presentation

• Published in: Kampo Medicine Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 345 - 350
• Main Authors: KANAKURA, Yoichi, MORIKAWA, Shigetoshi, MATSUBARA, Hidetaka, SHINZATO, Yasutaka, KOMETANI, Kunio, NOMURA, Yoshihisa, NIWA, Kuniaki, TOKUNAGA, Yasumoto, KAMATSUKI, Hiroshi, NAGATA, Fumitaka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Japan Society for Oriental Medicine 1994
• Subjects: breech delivery; moxibustion
• ISSN: 0287-4857; 1882-756X
• DOI: 10.3937/kampomed.45.345

Correction of fetal malpresentation such as knee-chest positioning and external cephalic version, has long been performed in cases of breech presentation. The reliability and safety of such treatment, however, remains unclear. We performed moxibustion on three acupoints, namely, Saninko, Shiin, and Yusen to correct the condition. We studied a total of 28 women, 22 of whom were observed until delivery, and six who had not reached full term by the end of the study. Cephalic presentation was achieved in 25 (89.3%), All but one of the fetuses that were corrected to cephalic presentation had full term vaginal delivery. The remaining one underwent premature delivery due to premature rupture of the membrane at 35 weeks 6 days. None of the babies showed any abnormalities. Correction could not be achieved in three women by the time of delivery. One of these three had dicornate uterus and underwent caesarian section due to premature rupture of the membrane. The other two had full term vaginal delivery of live babies. These results indicate that the correction of breech presentation by moxibustion is a safe method which cause no adverse effects on the mother or baby.