Persistent occiput posterior presentation--a clinical problem.

In order to find out how often labor is complicated by persistent occiput posterior position, (OPP), and how it affects the course and outcome of labor, the records of 3648 deliveries were reviewed, a frequency of 4.7% was found. Also, the amount of operative deliveries was surprisingly high, less than half of these cases were delivered without operative intervention. Total duration of labor, stage II of labor were both significantly longer in the OPP group. The children in the OPP group also were significantly heavier (79 g) than the average birthweight in the whole material.