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Feb 7, 2005Keywords:
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Current Practice of Forceps and Vacuum Deliveries by Nigerian Obstetricians
Abstract
Objective : To asses the current practice of forceps and vacuum deliveries by Nigerian Obstetricians.
Methodology: A self administered questionnaire survey of 57 Obstetricians that attended the 6th International Congress of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) held in Abuja in November 2002.
Results: Most (94.7%) of the Obstetricians surveyed performed these deliveries. The vacuum extractor was used by slightly more Obstetricians (81.5% compared to 79.6% using the forceps). The mean number of forceps and vacuum deliveries performed annually were 17.44 + 16.84 and 9.30 + 10.16 respectively. Most of the respondents believed that these instruments have a place in modern Obstetric practice with more favouring the vacuum to the forceps (89.4 % compared to 77.2%). The most common severe maternal complication experienced by them from both instruments was perineal and lower genital lacerations, while scalp injuries and cephalohaematoma were the most common severe fetal complications from forceps and vacuum deliveries respectively. Maternal and fetal mortality occurred only with the forceps.
Conclusion: Assistance with the birth process may be desirable and can be life saving and should always be available. Operative vaginal deliveries are an art that can safely and quickly deliver the fetus in skilled hands. Obstetricians should be trained in their use.
Key Words: Forceps, Vacuum, Operative, Vaginal, Delivery, Obstetricians.
[Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2004;21:40-43]
