Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Women worldwide require instrumental vaginal delivery every year. Obstetricians have vacuum extractor or obstetric forceps to choose from as instruments for assisted vaginal delivery. The present study was conducted to compare maternal and fetal effects of forceps delivery and vacuum extraction. Materials & Methods: 58 women in the second stage of labor requiring assisted vaginal delivery were divided into 2 groups of 29 each. In group I, ventouse was used and in group II, forceps were used. Parameters such as timeof application of the instrument, time of delivery, type ofinstrument used etc. was recorded. Results: In group I, ventouse was used and in group II, forceps were used. Each group had 29 patients. The mean gestational age (weeks) in group I was 39.0 and in group II was 38.2, birth weight (kg) was 2.8 and 2.7 in group I and II respectively. Indication for delivery was delayed second stage in 6 and 14, fetal distress in 20 and 10, delay plus distress in 2 and 3 and to shorten second stage in 1 and 2 in group I and II respectively. Mode of delivery was specified instrument in 26 and 29 and other (forceps) in 3 in group I and II respectively. The neonatal morbidity comprised of jaundice in 5 and 2, facial palsy in 0 and 1, cephalhematoma in 4 and 1 and mortality in 1 and 0 in group I and II respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Ventouse methods found to be superior as compared to the use of forceps.