Intrapartum Cephalocentesis: Case Report and Review

Abstract

Introduction: Cephalocentesis is a procedure that can be utilized to drain excessive Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) from a fetus with hydrocephalus along with severe associated abnormalities incompatible with survival or in a nonviable fetus with hydrocephalus in order to facilitate normal vaginal delivery and avoid maternal morbidity due to Cesarean delivery.Case Presentation: We present a case of a 36-year-old primigravida who had a fetus with severe hydrocephalus complicated by intrauterine fetal demise at 36 weeks of gestation, requiring cephalocentesis to facilitate vaginal delivery.Conclusion: Cephalocentesis can be a valuable procedure in avoiding cesarean delivery and related morbidity in situations where there is a nonviable fetus or fetus with very poor prognosis of survival after birth with hydrocephalus causing obstructed labor. Cephalocentesis, though not routinely used, is a destructive procedure that still has an essential role in modern obstetrics.