[The use of Thierry's spatula at the University hospital center in Toulouse in 1988].

In 1988, 431 applications of Thierry's spatulae have been carried out at the Toulouse UCH (14% of deliveries). The indications, the modes of application and the results have been studied. The number of perineal tearings was slightly higher than that of spontaneous deliveries but quite comparable to the number recorded in university hospital departments which use other extraction instruments (namely Tarnier's forceps). 2 cervical lesions, against 1 in the spontaneous deliveries, and an equivalent number of vaginal lesions have been observed. However, the frequency of anaemias due to the bleeding during episiotomy, is clearly higher; this is due to the lack of experience of the operating staff. Finally, the ways of teaching the extraction techniques at the UCH are mentioned.