Ventouse
| Ventouse | |
|---|---|
| Intervention | |
 A baby's scalp showing the effects of a vacuum extraction (chignon). The effects were gone a week later. | |
| ICD-9-CM | 72.7 |
Ventouse is a vacuum device used to assist the delivery of a baby when the second stage of labour has not progressed adequately. It is an alternative to a forceps delivery and caesarean section. It cannot be used when the baby is in the breech position or for premature births. This technique is also called vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery or vacuum extraction (VE). The use of VE is generally safe, but it can occasionally have negative effects on either the mother or the child.[1]
History
In 1849 the Edinburgh professor of obstetrics James Young Simpson, subsequently known for pioneering the use of chloroform in childbirth, designed the Air Tractor which consisted of a metal syringe attached to a soft rubber cup.[2] This was the earliest known vacuum extractor to assist childbirth but it did not become popular.[3] Swedish professor Tage Malmstrom developed the ventouse, or Malmstrom extractor in the 1950s. Originally made with a metal cap, new materials such as plastics and siliconised rubber have improved the design so that it is now used more than forceps.[3]
Technique
The woman is placed in the lithotomy position and assists throughout the process by pushing. A suction cup is placed onto the head of the baby and the suction draws the skin from the scalp into the cup. Correct placement of the cup directly over the flexion point, about 3 cm anterior from the occipital (posterior) fontanelle, is critical to the success of a VE.[4] Ventouse devices have handles to allow for traction. When the baby's head is delivered, the device is detached, allowing the birthing attendant and the mother to complete the delivery of the baby.
For proper use of the ventouse, the maternal cervix has to be fully dilated, the head engaged in the birth canal, and the head position known. If the ventouse attempt fails, it may be necessary to deliver the infant by forceps or caesarean section.
Indications for use of vacuum
There are several indications to use a ventouse to aid delivery:
- Maternal exhaustion
- Prolonged second stage of labor
- Foetal distress in the second stage of labor, generally indicated by changes in the foetal heart-rate (usually measured on a CTG)
- Maternal illness where prolonged "bearing down" or pushing efforts would be risky (e.g. cardiac conditions, blood pressure, aneurysm, glaucoma). If these conditions are known about before the birth, or are severe, then an elective caesarean section may be performed.
Comparisons to other forms of assisted delivery
Positive aspects
- An episiotomy may not be required.
- The mother still takes an active role in the birth.
- No special anesthesia is required.
- The force applied to the baby can be less than that of a forceps delivery, and leaves no marks on the face.
- There is less potential for maternal trauma compared to forceps and caesarean section.
Negative aspects
- The baby will be left with a temporary lump on its head, known as a chignon.
- There is a possibility of cephalohematoma formation, or subgaleal hemorrhage.
See also
References
- ↑ eMedicine - Vacuum Extraction : Article by Christian S Pope, DO Retrieved December 16, 2006
- ↑ John, O'Grady. "Vacuum Extraction". Retrieved December 12, 2013.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Venema, Vibeke (3 December 2013). "Odon childbirth device: Car mechanic uncorks a revolution". BBC World Service. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
- ↑ Vacca, Aldo (2009). Handbook of Vacuum Extraction in Obstetric Practice, 3rd edition. Vacca Research. ISBN 978-1-920818-03-6.
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