Soft forceps

Roshan, D.F.; Petrikovsky, B.; Sichinava, L.; Rudick, B.J.; Rebarber, A.; Bender, S.D.

doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2004.11.014

« Previous Next »International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics
Volume 88, Issue 3 , Pages 249-252, March 2005

Soft forceps

D.F. Roshan
- NYU School of Medicine, Tisch Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Corresponding author. NYU Program for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, 530 First Avenue, Suite 7N, New York, NY 10016. Tel.: +1 212 263 7021; fax: +1 212 263 0616.
B. Petrikovsky
- Nassau University Medical Center, E. Meadow, NY, USA
L. Sichinava
- Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
B.J. Rudick
- NYU School of Medicine, Tisch Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, New York, NY, USA
A. Rebarber
- Nassau University Medical Center, E. Meadow, NY, USA
S.D. Bender
- NYU School of Medicine, Tisch Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, New York, NY, USA

Received 12 August 2004; received in revised form 8 November 2004; accepted 19 November 2004.

Abstract

Objective

The risk of maternal and fetal trauma and, chiefly, the fear of law suits, have contributed to a significant decline in rates of forceps-assisted deliveries and an increase in rates of cesarean sections, especially in the United States. Our experience with gas-sterilized forceps blades covered with a soft rubber coating–the “soft” forceps–is described.

Method

Ninety-six women who required a forceps-assisted delivery for standard indications were randomly allocated to 2 groups. There were 51 women in the regular forceps group and 45 women in the soft forceps group. Low forceps delivery with a Simpson instrument was used in all cases. The groups were compared for fetal injury.

Results

The rates of severe facial abrasion and minimal marking were 4.1% and 61%, respectively, in the regular forceps group and 1.9% and 34% in the soft forceps group.

Conclusion

The soft forceps may reduce the rates of neonatal facial abrasion and skin bruises. The forceps should be further perfected, as well as vacuum extractors; they should both continue to be part of the obstetrician's armamentarium.

Keywords: Labor, Operative delivery, “Soft” forceps