Neonatal outcome following failed Kiwi OmniCup vacuum extraction.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate neonatal outcomes following failed vacuum extraction using the Kiwi OmniCup vacuum device.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 288 failed vacuum deliveries using the OmniCup device. The neonatal morbidity was recorded for each delivery.

RESULTS

Of the 288 women involved, 82.3% were nulliparous. In 245 cases (85.1%), failed vacuum was followed by successful forceps delivery; failed vacuum and failed forceps was followed by Caesarean section in 5.9%; failed vacuum was followed by spontaneous vaginal delivery in 3.8%; and failed vacuum was followed by Caesarean section in 5.2%. Cephalhematoma was diagnosed in 19.8% of the 288 infants delivered. There were no cases of neonatal intracranial or subgaleal hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

Although the method of delivery following failed vacuum extraction is controversial, and most national guidelines warn of increased neonatal morbidity with subsequent use of forceps, the low morbidity in this study is reassuring. In our cohort, low forceps delivery (station > 2 cm) following failed vacuum extraction was not associated with serious neonatal morbidity.