Rizwana Chaudhri, Shazia Syed.
Ventouse Delivery: Maternal and Fetal Outcome.
J Rawal Med Coll Jan ;6(2):60-4.

Background: To study the maternal and fetal complications in assisted vaginal deliveries (AVD) accomplished with Ventouse (Vacuum Extractor). Methods: A total of 100 consecutive cases of successful ventouse deliveries were included in this prospective study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit-II, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi from May 2001 to April 2002. Mothers were both primigravidae and multigravidae, between the ages of 20-43 years. A full feto-maternal risk evaluation was done to exclude all those cases which could jeopardize the outcome. Ventouse was applied for maternal distress, fetal distress, prolonged second stage of labour and fetal malpositions. Results: Out of 100 cases, 16 (16%) mothers had complications. Of these 10% were only minor soft tissue injuries. Significant complications were third degree perineal tear (1%), vaginal haematoma (1%) and post partum haemorrhage (4%). Ten babies also developed complications. Neo-natal jaundice was seen in 2 (2%) cases, one of whom also developed meningitis. Total patients with neonatal meningitis were 2 (2%). Other complications were respiratory distress syndrome (4%), cephalhaematoma (1%) and Erb`s paralysis due to shoulder dystocia (1%). There was 1 (1%) intra-partum stillbirth. Perinatal mortality rate was 10 (10 per thousand or one intra-partum stillbirth). Conclusion: Where indicated, ventouse should be the instrument of first choice for assisted vaginal delivery.

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