Obstetric opinions regarding the method of delivery in women that have had surgery for retinal detachment

OBJECTIVES We sought to determine international obstetric opinions regarding the influence of a history of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment on the management of labour and to review the evidence base. DESIGN A questionnaire containing closed questions, with pre-coded response opinions, was designed to obtain a cross-section of the obstetric opinions. SETTING Questionnaires were distributed at the 20th European Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Lisbon, Portugal. PARTICIPANTS One hundred questionnaires were distributed among obstetricians attending the congress and 74 agreed to participate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Participants were asked to state their preferred method of delivery in such patients and the reasons for their recommendation. Furthermore, we questioned whether there was any difference in opinions depending on generation. RESULTS The majority of respondents (76%) would recommend assisted delivery (either Caesarean section or instrumental delivery), whereas the remaining 24% would advise normal delivery. Generation is not a factor influencing this decision. The majority (58%) based their decision to alter the management of labour on their personal opinion of standard of care. CONCLUSION The literature shows that there is little evidence to support the belief that previous retinal surgery increases the risk of re-detachment of the retina during spontaneous vaginal delivery. This short survey shows that the majority of an international sample of obstetricians questioned does not share this viewpoint. Therefore, unnecessary interventions may be occurring in otherwise fit women with a history of retinal detachment.