Association between the number of pulls and adverse neonatal/maternal outcomes in vacuum-assisted delivery.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between the number of pulls during vacuum-assisted deliver and neonatal and maternal complications. METHODS: This was a single-center observational study using a cohort of pregnancies who underwent vacuum-assisted delivery from 2013 to 2020. We excluded pregnancies transitioning to cesarean section after a failed attempt at vacuum-assisted delivery. The number of pulls to deliver the neonate was categorized into 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 pulls. We used logistic regression models to investigate the association between the number of pulls and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and maternal composite outcome (severe perineal laceration, cervical laceration, transfusion, and postpartum hemorrhage ≥500 mL). RESULTS: We extracted 480 vacuum-assisted deliveries among 7,321 vaginal deliveries. The proportion of pregnancies receiving 1, 2, 3, or ≥4 pulls were 51.9, 28.3, 10.8, and 9.0%, respectively. The crude prevalence of NICU admission with 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 pulls were 10.8, 16.2, 15.4, and 27.9%, respectively. The prevalence of NICU admission, amount of postpartum hemorrhage, and postpartum hemorrhage ≥500 mL were significantly different between the four groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found the prevalence of NICU admission in the ≥4 pulls group was significantly higher compared with the 1 pull group (adjusted odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-7.8). In contrast, maternal complications were not significantly associated with the number of pulls. CONCLUSIONS: Vacuum-assisted delivery with four or more pulls was significantly associated with an increased risk of NICU admission. However, the number of pulls was not associated with maternal complications.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes in vacuum-assisted delivery with the Kiwi OmniCup and Malmström metal cup.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of different types of vacuum cups on maternal and neonatal outcomes following assisted vaginal delivery. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken of all vacuum-assisted deliveries performed over a period of 2 years. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether a Kiwi OmniCup (n = 230) or Malmström metal cup (n = 98) was used. Maternal outcomes included maternal genital tract injury and total blood loss. Neonatal outcomes included Apgar score, umbilical cord blood gases, neonatal scalp injury and time spent in the neonatal unit. RESULTS: Maternal or neonatal outcomes and failure rates did not differ between the two groups, however, the duration of the procedure and the fundal pressure maneuver was more frequent in the Malmström group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the Kiwi OmniCup and Malmström metal cup vacuum extractors are safe and functionally effective for vacuum-assisted delivery.

Vacuum cup placement during delivery--a suggested obstetric quality assessment measure.

OBJECTIVE: To establish standards for the deviation of vacuum cup placement from the ideal location during operative delivery in an academic center. METHODS: Data on 92 vacuum deliveries were prospectively obtained. The actual point on the newborns head was determined and both midline and anterior-posterior line deviations from the ideal point of placement were calculated. RESULTS: The most common indication for vacuum extraction was a nonreassuring fetal heart rate (66.7%). The average deviation on the mid anterior-posterior line was 3.72 ± 1.46 cm; the average midline-lateral deviation was 1.92 ± 1.33 cm. There was no statistically significant difference in the cup placement deviations between deliveries performed by residents and consultants. The vacuum procedure failed in 8.6% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate placement of the vacuum cup on the fetal head is considered to be clinically important. This assumption requires scientific clinical proof. Our local standard for deviation was established and will serve for audit. If safer neonatal and maternal outcomes are demonstrated, the deviation from the ideal placement location ought to become a universal quality measure for vacuum deliveries.

Management and outcomes of posterior fossa subdural hematomas in neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To review and analyze a contemporary series of 15 neonates who were treated for posterior fossa subdural hematomas (PFSDHs) during the era of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: A retrospective chart review identified all neonates with PFSDHs for whom neurosurgical consultations were obtained for treatment planning. RESULTS: There were nine male and six female patients. The mean gestational age was 39 weeks. Nine of the 15 mothers of the patients were primiparous. Instrument-assisted delivery (forceps and/or vacuum extractor) was undertaken for seven patients. The mean birth weight of the infants was 3165 g (range, 2160-3930 g). The mean 5-minute Apgar score was 7.5. Symptoms of PFSDH developed within the first 24 hours of life in 13 neonates. The predominant symptoms and signs were failure to thrive, irritability, seizures, apnea, and bradycardia. Lumbar punctures to rule out central nervous system sepsis were performed in six neonates. Hemograms revealed that six neonates were anemic with low hemoglobins, five had low platelets, and four had abnormal prothrombin and/or partial thromboplastin times at the time of diagnosis. Computed tomography established the diagnosis of PFSDH in all cases. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed for two neonates. The median time to diagnosis by imaging studies was 10 hours after birth. Surgical evacuation of the PFSDHs was performed in eight neonates. Seven neonates were followed conservatively with serial imaging studies. There was no mortality in either treatment group. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 10 years, with a mean of 4.5 years. Functional outcome assessment revealed that seven neonates were neurodevelopmentally normal, three were mildly delayed, two were moderately delayed, and three were profoundly delayed. In addition to traumatic causes of the PFSDHs, three neonates were observed to have coagulation disturbances at birth and one was observed at follow-up to have a posterior fossa medulloblastoma that had bled at birth. CONCLUSION: PFSDHs are rare but important lesions to diagnose early in the neonatal period. Surgery can be life-saving when performed in a timely manner for signs and symptoms of brain stem dysfunction. A search for an underlying cause predisposing to a PFSDH may, on occasion, reveal a coagulation disturbance or a neoplasm that will require additional therapeutic considerations.

Leptomeningeal cyst in newborns due to vacuum extraction: report of two cases.

Two new cases of leptomeningeal cysts subsequent to vacuum extraction are reported. Both children presented with a huge, nonpulsating, transilluminating subgaleal collection over the anterior fontanel that appeared soon after instrument delivery. Plain X-rays, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that the subgaleal collection was cerebrospinal fluid and showed the presence of a diastatic coronal suture in both cases. Treatment consisted of duraplasty with periosteal flaps and application of fibrin glue. In one case, an associated porencephalic cyst was treated with a cystoperitoneal shunt. Surgical treatment of leptomeningeal cyst due to vacuum extraction is simple and should not be postponed, despite the tendency for the extracranial cyst to regress, because of the potential risk of continuous growth of an underlying porencephalic cyst and risk of neurological damage.

Clinical experience with the Silc Cup Vacuum Extractor.

The relative merits of vacuum extraction have been extensively studied and its advantages analysed. These include its ease of application, encouragement of "autorotation" of the malpositioned foetal head and its safety for both foetus and especially the mother. One hundred and eighty-six vacuum extraction assisted deliveries were performed at the Department of Gynaecological Oncology & Urology, Kandang Kerbau Hospital, from 1988 to 1990 using the 50 mm Silicone Silc Cup Vacuum Extractor (Menox AB). Anaesthetic requirements were minimal with 97% of cases accomplished with local perineal anaesthesia. Maternal complications were very few and only 1.6% of cases had third degree lacerations. There was no maternal or foetal mortality. The most frequent foetal morbidity was neonatal jaundice (28%) with only 7% requiring phototherapy. Cephalohaematoma was found in 8% and 2% had minor scalp abrasions. There were 3 infants with subaponeurotic haematoma who subsequently recovered uneventfully. Vacuum deliveries that were attempted but completed by forceps deliveries ("failed" vacuum extraction) accounted for 10% of total cases. The Silc cup vacuum extractor although not a replacement for all forceps manoeuvres offers a safe and efficient method of assisted delivery under the appropriate clinical circumstances.

Depressed skull fracture in the neonate. Report of three cases.

The authors describe three cases of neonatal depressed skull fracture that were elevated by means of an obstetrical vacuum extractor. In one case, a transparent breast pump shield replaced the metal vacuum extractor cup, permitting direct observation as the depression was elevated. Neonatal depressed skull fractures not associated with neurological signs may be safely elevated without surgery using the obstetrical vacuum extractor.