Assisted Vaginal Delivery - Preference of Vacuum or Forceps among Obstetricians

Objective: To determine the instrument preference among obstetricians practicing operative vaginal deliveries and to determine the prevalence and risks of vacuum or forceps Assisted Vaginal Delivery (AVD).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in ACS Medical and Hospital, Chennai. A total of 520 obstetricians were included in the study. An online questionnaire was sent to all obstetricians in Chennai. The choice of procedure for specific circumstances, instrument preference [use of vacuum or forceps] and views on the complications encountered in both vacuum and forceps use at vaginal delivery were explored. For the replies, we computed means and percentages for the entire group and distinct subgroups. Risk assessment of outcome with exposure as suitable p-value was included in the statistical analysis.

Results: Response rate for the questionnaire was 97% (504/520). The findings suggest that obstetricians preference was more towards vacuum due to their ease of usage. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. Failed vacuum due to slipping of the cup was the most common complication faced - 62%, followed by caput succedaneum 25%, both were statistically significant. The most significant finding was that maternal injuries in the vacuum group were only 2% which was way less than those who had forceps delivery (68%) with a p-value of < 0.001.

Conclusion: In this research, physician instrument choice is a significant predictor of results that should be taken into account. Use of vacuum for delivery seemed to be the choice of majority of obstetricians [334 (66%)]. Vacuum extractor rather than forceps for assisted delivery appears to reduce maternal morbidity, whereas neonatal injuries were more common in newborns delivered by vacuum. The choice of instrument should be personalized based on the patient's condition and the obstetrician's experience and expertise.