Diagnosis of vasa praevia by amnioscopy. Value of induced labor. A case report

The authors report a case of vessel praevia diagnosed at routine examination prior to the induction of labour. They emphasize the dramatic risk of very serious hemorrhage occurring after rupture of the membranes and the value of prophylactic caesarean section once the diagnosis is known. Routine use of amnioscopy in determining whether the timing of labour is appropriate and the increased alertness which this imposes to the obstetrician appear to be the only method for the prevention of these dramatic complications. In the future, colour Doppler will offer an earlier diagnostic method.