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American Journal of Obstetrics &... Jan 2022The fetal occiput transverse position in the second stage of labor is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Prophylactic manual rotation in the second... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
The fetal occiput transverse position in the second stage of labor is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Prophylactic manual rotation in the second stage of labor is considered a safe and easy to perform procedure that has been used to prevent operative deliveries.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the efficacy of prophylactic manual rotation in the management of the occiput transverse position for preventing operative delivery. We hypothesized that among women who are at ≥37 weeks' gestation with a baby in the occiput transverse position early in the second stage of labor, manual rotation compared with a "sham" rotation will reduce the rate of operative delivery.
STUDY DESIGN
A double-blinded, parallel, superiority, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial in 3 tertiary hospitals was conducted in Australia. The primary outcome was operative (cesarean, forceps, or vacuum) delivery. Secondary outcomes were cesarean delivery, serious maternal morbidity and mortality, and serious perinatal morbidity and mortality. Outcomes were analyzed by intention to treat. Proportions were compared using χ tests adjusted for stratification variables using the Mantel-Haenszel method or Fisher exact test. Planned subgroup analyses by operator experience and technique of manual rotation (digital or whole hand rotation) were performed. The planned sample size was 416 participants (trial registration: ACTRN12613000005752).
RESULTS
Here, 160 women with a term pregnancy and a baby in the occiput transverse position in the second stage of labor, confirmed by ultrasound, were randomly assigned to receive either a prophylactic manual rotation (n=80) or a sham procedure (n=80), which was less than our original intended sample size. Operative delivery occurred in 41 of 80 women (51%) assigned to prophylactic manual rotation and 40 of 80 women (50%) assigned to a sham rotation (common risk difference, -4.2% [favors sham rotation]; 95% confidence interval, -21 to 13; P=.63). Among more experienced proceduralists, operative delivery occurred in 24 of 47 women (51%) assigned to manual rotation and 29 of 46 women (63%) assigned to a sham rotation (common risk difference, 11%; 95% confidence interval, -11 to 33; P=.33). Cesarean delivery occurred in 6 of 80 women (7.5%) in the manual rotation group and 7 of 80 women (8.7%) in the sham group. Instrumental (forceps or vacuum) delivery occurred in 35 of 80 women (44%) in the manual rotation group and 33 of 80 women (41%) in the sham group. There was no significant difference in the combined maternal and perinatal outcomes. The trial was terminated early because of limited resources.
CONCLUSION
Planned prophylactic manual rotation did not result in fewer operative deliveries. More research is needed in the use of manual rotation from the occiput transverse position for preventing operative deliveries.
Topics: Cesarean Section; Extraction, Obstetrical; Female; Humans; Labor Presentation; Obstetric Labor Complications; Pregnancy; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 34543751
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100488 -
Birth (Berkeley, Calif.) Jun 2022To compare the incidence of cephalic marks in newborns exposed to operative vaginal delivery and those who are not. We examined the factors associated with alterations...
OBJECTIVES
To compare the incidence of cephalic marks in newborns exposed to operative vaginal delivery and those who are not. We examined the factors associated with alterations in neonatal well-being and with cephalic mark occurrence.
METHODS
Prospective study involving singleton term newborns delivered in a cephalic presentation. Newborns in the operative group were matched with newborns born on the same day without instruments required. A cephalic mark was defined as any mark or edema on the newborn's skin between 12 and 72 hours of life. Neonatal well-being was assessed by analgesic consumption, neonatal discomfort (EDIN score of 1 or more), and prolonged hospitalization (4 days or more). We compared the operative and spontaneous groups and determined the relative risk (RR) for cephalic marks. We investigated the factors associated with alterations in neonatal well-being and factors associated with cephalic mark occurrence in the case of operative delivery using multivariate logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 135 newborns were included in each group. The incidence of cephalic marks was higher in the operative group (RR = 13.3 [6.0-29.5]). In case of operative delivery, cephalic marks were associated with neonatal discomfort (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] = 8.2 [2.2-30.6]) and analgesic consumption (aOR = 3.0 [1.2-7.1]). The number of cephalic marks was higher in cases with sequential use of vacuum and forceps (aOR = 3.5 [1.1-11.7]) and forceps only deliveries (aOR = 3.0 [1.1-8.1]) relative to vacuum only deliveries.
CONCLUSIONS
Operative delivery increases the risk of neonatal cephalic marks, which can negatively affect neonatal well-being.
Topics: Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Obstetrical Forceps; Odds Ratio; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical
PubMed: 34523170
DOI: 10.1111/birt.12588 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Apr 2022This study aimed to assess the efficacy of sonographic assessment of fetal occiput position before operative vaginal delivery to decrease the number of failed operative... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the efficacy of sonographic assessment of fetal occiput position before operative vaginal delivery to decrease the number of failed operative vaginal deliveries.
DATA SOURCES
The search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, ClinicalTrial.gov, Ovid, and Cochrane Library as electronic databases from the inception of each database to April 2021. No restrictions for language or geographic location were applied.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Selection criteria included randomized controlled trails of pregnant women randomized to either sonographic or clinical digital diagnosis of fetal occiput position during the second stage of labor before operative vaginal delivery.
METHODS
The primary outcome was failed operative vaginal delivery, defined as a failed fetal operative vaginal delivery (vacuum or forceps) extraction requiring a cesarean delivery or forceps after failed vacuum. The summary measures were reported as relative risks or as mean differences with 95% confidence intervals using the random effects model of DerSimonian and Laird. An I (Higgins I) >0% was used to identify heterogeneity.
RESULTS
A total of 4 randomized controlled trials including 1007 women with singleton, term, cephalic fetuses randomized to either the sonographic (n=484) or clinical digital (n=523) diagnosis of occiput position during the second stage of labor before operative vaginal delivery were included. Before operative vaginal delivery, fetal occiput position was diagnosed as anterior in 63.5% of the sonographic diagnosis group vs 69.5% in the clinical digital diagnosis group (P=.04). There was no significant difference in the rate of failed operative vaginal deliveries between the sonographic and clinical diagnosis of occiput position groups (9.9% vs 8.2%; relative risk, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-1.68). Women randomized to sonographic diagnosis of occiput position had a significantly lower rate of occiput position discordance between the evaluation before operative vaginal delivery and the at birth evaluation when compared with those randomized to the clinical diagnosis group (2.3% vs 17.7%; relative risk, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.74; P=.02). There were no significant differences in any of the other secondary obstetrical and perinatal outcomes assessed.
CONCLUSION
Sonographic knowledge of occiput position before operative vaginal delivery does not seem to have an effect on the incidence of failed operative vaginal deliveries despite better sonographic accuracy in the occiput position diagnosis when compared with clinical assessment. Future studies should evaluate how a more accurate sonographic diagnosis of occiput position or other parameters can lead to a safer and more effective operative vaginal delivery technique.
Topics: Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Labor Presentation; Pregnancy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Ultrasonography; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 34492220
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.08.057 -
PloS One 2021Induction and augmentation of labor is one of the most common obstetrical interventions. However, this intervention is not free of risks and could cause adverse events,...
Induction and augmentation of labor is one of the most common obstetrical interventions. However, this intervention is not free of risks and could cause adverse events, such as hyperactive uterine contraction, uterine rupture, and amniotic-fluid embolism. Our previous study using a new animal model showed that labor induced with high-dose oxytocin (OXT) in pregnant mice resulted in massive cell death in selective brain regions, specifically in male offspring. The affected brain regions included the prefrontal cortex (PFC), but a detailed study in the PFC subregions has not been performed. In this study, we induced labor in mice using high-dose OXT and investigated neonatal brain damage in detail in the PFC using light and electron microscopy. We found that TUNEL-positive or pyknotic nuclei and Iba-1-positive microglial cells were detected more abundantly in infralimbic (IL) and prelimbic (PL) cortex of the ventromedial PFC (vmPFC) in male pups delivered by OXT-induced labor than in the control male pups. These Iba-1-positive microglial cells were engulfing dying cells. Additionally, we also noticed that in the forceps minor (FMI) of the corpus callosum (CC), the number of TUNEL-positive or pyknotic nuclei and Iba-1-positive microglial cells were largely increased and Iba-1-positive microglial cells phagocytosed massive dying cells in male pups delivered by high-dose OXT-induced labor. In conclusion, IL and PL of the vmPFC and FMI of the CC, were susceptible to brain damage in male neonates after high-dose OXT-induced labor.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Cell Death; Corpus Callosum; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Labor, Induced; Limbic System; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Microfilament Proteins; Microglia; Oxytocin; Phagocytosis; Prefrontal Cortex; Pregnancy; Reproducibility of Results; Mice
PubMed: 34437622
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256693 -
The Journal of Obstetrics and... Oct 2021This study aims to explore the risk factors leading to poor wound healing after forceps delivery.
AIM
This study aims to explore the risk factors leading to poor wound healing after forceps delivery.
METHOD
In this retrospective study, 74 patients undergoing forceps delivery with poor wound healing were compared with contemporary randomly selected 74 patients undergoing forceps delivery but with normal wound healing.
RESULTS
Compared to the normal healing group, the poor healing group had larger birthweight (p = 0.01), longer labor length (805.9 ± 356.4 min vs. 572.9 ± 306.3 min, p < 0.001), more virginal checks (4.0 ± 1.5 vs. 3.4 ± 1.7, p = 0.029), and more contaminated amniotic fluid (p = 0.043). More patients in poor healing group suffered from postpartum fever (52.7% vs. 21.6%, p < 0.001), postpartum hemorrhage (p < 0.001), and anemia after delivery (p < 0.001). Labor length (odds ratio (OR) 1.125, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.033-1.226), anemia after delivery (OR 3.621, 95% CI = 2.077-6.314), postpartum fever (OR 7.100, 95% CI = 2.505-20.124), and degree of laceration (OR 3.067, 95% CI = 1.258-7.479) were the risk factors of poor healing of perineal wound after forceps delivery, while postpartum antibiotics (OR 0.303, 95% CI = 0.098-0.937) and suture removal days (OR 0.272, 95% CI = 0.133-0.556) were the protective factors.
CONCLUSION
To promote the wound healing from the forceps delivery, obstetricians may consider to control the patient's labor length and degree of laceration, increase patient's nutrition, apply prophylactic antibiotics, and prolong the suture removal days.
Topics: Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Humans; Obstetric Labor Complications; Obstetrical Forceps; Perineum; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Wound Healing
PubMed: 34365703
DOI: 10.1111/jog.14906 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Nov 2021The objective was to report the role of intrapartum ultrasound examination in affecting maternal and perinatal outcome in women undergoing instrumental vaginal delivery. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
The objective was to report the role of intrapartum ultrasound examination in affecting maternal and perinatal outcome in women undergoing instrumental vaginal delivery.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrial.gov databases were searched. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials comparing ultrasound assessment of fetal head position vs routine standard care (digital examination) before instrumental vaginal delivery (either vacuum or forceps). The primary outcome was failed instrumental delivery extraction followed by cesarean section. Secondary outcomes were postpartum hemorrhage, 3rd or 4th degree perineal lacerations, episiotomy, prolonged hospital stay, Apgar score<7 at 5 min, umbilical artery pH <7.0 and base excess greater than -12 mEq, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), shoulder dystocia, birth trauma, a composite score of adverse maternal and neonatal outcome and incorrect diagnosis of fetal head position. Risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB-2). The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Head-to-head meta-analyses using a random-effect model were used to analyze the data and results are reported as relative risk with their 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
Five studies were included (1463 women). There was no difference in the maternal, pregnancy or labor characteristics between the two groups. An ultrasound assessment prior to instrumental vaginal delivery did not affect the cesarean section rate compared with standard care (p = 0.805). Likewise, the risk of composite adverse maternal outcome (p = 0.428), perineal lacerations (p = 0.800), postpartum hemorrhage (p = 0.303), shoulder dystocia (p = 0.862) and prolonged stay in hospital (p = 0.059) were not different between the two groups. Composite adverse neonatal outcome was not different between the women undergoing and those not undergoing ultrasound assessment prior to instrumental delivery (p = 0.400). Likewise, there was no increased risk with abnormal Apgar score (p = 0.882), umbilical artery pH < 7.2 (p = 0.713), base excess greater than -12 (p = 0.742), admission to NICU (p = 0.879) or birth trauma (p = 0.968). The risk of having an incorrect diagnosis of fetal head position was lower when ultrasound was performed before instrumental delivery, with a relative risk of 0.16 (95% confidence interval 0.1-0.3; I :77%, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Although ultrasound examination was associated with a lower rate of incorrect diagnoses of fetal head position and station, this did not translate to any improvement of maternal or neonatal outcomes.
Topics: Birth Injuries; Cesarean Section; Extraction, Obstetrical; Female; Humans; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 34314520
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14236 -
BJOG : An International Journal of... Mar 2022There is variation in the reported incidence rates of levator avulsion (LA) and paucity of research into its risk factors.
BACKGROUND
There is variation in the reported incidence rates of levator avulsion (LA) and paucity of research into its risk factors.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the incidence rate of LA by mode of birth, imaging modality, timing of diagnosis and laterality of avulsion.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and MIDIRS with no language restriction from inception to April 2019.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
A study was included if LA was assessed by an imaging modality after the first vaginal birth or caesarean section. Case series and reports were not included.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
RevMan v5.3 was used for the meta-analyses and SW SAS and STATISTICA packages were used for type and timing of imaging analyses.
RESULTS
We included 37 primary non-randomised studies from 17 countries and involving 5594 women. Incidence rates of LA were 1, 15, 21, 38.5 and 52% following caesarean, spontaneous, vacuum, spatula and forceps births, respectively, with no differences by imaging modality. Odds ratio of LA following spontaneous birth versus caesarean section was 10.69. The odds ratios for LA following vacuum and forceps compared with spontaneous birth were 1.66 and 6.32, respectively. LA was more likely to occur unilaterally than bilaterally following spontaneous (P < 0.0001) and vacuum-assisted (P = 0.0103) births but not forceps. Incidence was higher if assessment was performed in the first 4 weeks postpartum.
CONCLUSIONS
LA incidence rates following caesarean, spontaneous, vacuum and forceps deliveries were 1, 15, 21 and 52%, respectively. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging were comparable tools for LA diagnosis.
TWEETABLE ABSTRACT
Levator avulsion incidence rates after caesarean, spontaneous, vacuum and forceps deliveries were 1, 15, 21 and 52%, respectively.
Topics: Cesarean Section; Female; Humans; Incidence; Pelvic Floor Disorders; Pregnancy; Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical
PubMed: 34245656
DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.16837 -
Journal of Healthcare Engineering 2021Forceps delivery is one of the most important measures to facilitate vaginal delivery. It can reduce the rate of first cesarean delivery. Frustratingly, adverse maternal...
BACKGROUND
Forceps delivery is one of the most important measures to facilitate vaginal delivery. It can reduce the rate of first cesarean delivery. Frustratingly, adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with forceps delivery have been frequently reported in recent years. There are two major reasons: one is that the abilities of doctors and midwives in forceps delivery vary from hospital to hospital and the other one is lack of regulations in the management of forceps delivery. In order to improve the success rate of forceps delivery and reduce the incidence of maternal and neonatal complications, we applied form-based management to forceps delivery under an intelligent medical model. The aim of this work is to explore the clinical effects of form-based management of forceps delivery.
METHODS
Patients with forceps delivery in Maternal and Child Health Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang University were divided into two groups: form-based patients from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, were selected as the study group, while traditional protocol patients from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018, were chosen as the control group. Then, we compared the maternal and neonatal outcomes of these two groups.
RESULTS
There were significant differences in the maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes such as rate of postpartum hemorrhage, degree of perineal laceration, and incidence of neonatal facial skin abrasions between the two groups, whereas differences in the incidence of asphyxia and intracranial hemorrhage were not significant.
CONCLUSIONS
Form-based management could help us assess the security of forceps delivery comprehensively, as it could not only improve the success rate of the one-time forceps traction scheme but also reduce the incidence of maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes effectively.
Topics: Cesarean Section; Child; Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Obstetrical Forceps; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Pregnancy; Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical
PubMed: 34194686
DOI: 10.1155/2021/9947255 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Nov 2021This review presents the available data on the diagnosis of obstetrical anal sphincter injury by postnatal ultrasound imaging. There is increasing evidence that anal... (Review)
Review
This review presents the available data on the diagnosis of obstetrical anal sphincter injury by postnatal ultrasound imaging. There is increasing evidence that anal sphincter tears are often missed after childbirth and, even when diagnosed, often suboptimally repaired, with a high rate of residual defects after reconstruction. Even after postpartum diagnosis and primary repair, 25% to 50% of patients will have persistent anal incontinence. As clinical diagnosis may fail in the detection and classification of obstetrical anal sphincter injury, the use of imaging has been proposed to improve the detection and treatment of these lacerations. Notably, 3-dimensional endoanal ultrasound is considered the gold standard in the detection of obstetrical anal sphincter injury, and recently, 4-dimensional transperineal ultrasound, commonly available in obstetrical and gynecologic settings, has proven to be effective as well. Avoidance of forceps delivery when possible, performance of a rectal examination after vaginal delivery and before repair of any severe perineal tear, and offering sonographic follow-up at 10 to 12 weeks after vaginal delivery in high-risk women (maternal age of ≥35 years, vaginal birth after cesarean delivery, forceps, prolonged second stage of labor, overt obstetrical anal sphincter injury, shoulder dystocia, and macrosomia) may help reduce morbidity arising from anal sphincter tears.
Topics: Adult; Anal Canal; Female; Humans; Lacerations; Perineum; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 34129995
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100421 -
Oman Medical Journal May 2021Our study sought to assess the maternal and neonatal outcomes of operative vaginal deliveries (OVDs) at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH). We assessed the...
OBJECTIVES
Our study sought to assess the maternal and neonatal outcomes of operative vaginal deliveries (OVDs) at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH). We assessed the proportion of OVDs along with the proportion of maternal and neonatal outcomes of kiwi OmniCup vacuum, metal cup vacuum, and forceps deliveries.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at SQUH from June 2015 to March 2018. The hospital information system was utilized to obtain records of all women who delivered at SQUH by vacuum or forceps during the study period. We collected data on maternal demographics, maternal and neonatal outcomes, and total number of deliveries.
RESULTS
During the study period, 3.8% of deliveries were OVDs. The most common instrument used was the Kiwi OmniCup vacuum device. No significant difference was found between the type of tears and instrument used except perineal tears ( 0.003), which was seen more in the vacuum group, particularly Kiwi OmniCup. Neonatal birth weight ( 0.046) was significantly higher in the metallic vacuum cup group. Thirty-one neonates (6.6%) were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, and most were born using Kiwi OmniCup vacuum (67.7%).
CONCLUSIONS
OVD is an ideal alternative to cesarean section with fewer maternal and neonatal complications in women who cannot deliver spontaneously if performed by a well-trained obstetrician.
PubMed: 34113459
DOI: 10.5001/omj.2021.61