Editorial Comment on: M. Dębska, P. Kretowicz, R. Dębski Intrapartum sonography – eccentricity or necessity?

Abstract

This article discusses an extremely signifi cant issue of using ultrasonography in the delivery room. The authors discuss the role of ultrasonography in assessing the course of labor. Although the fi rst reports on this subject appeared approximately 20 years ago, the mass use of such examinations has started only recently(2–4). In some of these reports, the 2D and 3D imaging is compared(3) whereas some of them compare a physical anorectal examination with ultrasound assessment of labor(5,6). Nearly all authors agree that ultrasonography in the delivery room is useful and, currently, the more information is available to the obstetrician, the safer the delivery is both for the mother and child. Each article on the use of ultrasonography in the delivery room is therefore valuable. The authors of this paper preset a concise historical review as well as indications for and practical aspects of US examinations during labor, referring to 30 recent publications. One should hope that this article will resolve any doubts of obstetricians and gynecologists concerning the utility of ultrasonography during labor.