Spatules de Thierry ou forceps : comparaison des morbidités materno-fœtales

[Spatulas: A Franco-Colombian story or the slow rise of propulsion...]

The idea of using an instrument to assist natural childbirth is not new and it was in the 18th and 19th centuries that the forceps was developed. It is only after the Second World War that the suction cup provides an alternative to instrumental childbirth, but still based on prehension and traction. In 1950, Emile Thierry, in France, presented his spatulas based on the then original principle of propulsion. The diffusion of spatulas is almost non-existent in the Anglo-Saxon world but is not limited to France since its use was real by the Iberians and Latin Americans. There are currently three types of spatula, two of which are French and one Colombian. This review takes up the saga of this instrument for more than 70 years, develops its particularities and describes the present literature.

Pelvic floor dysfunction after vaginal delivery: MOODS-a prospective study

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Labor is a known risk factor for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD); however, the impact of operative vaginal delivery (OVD), particularly spatulas, remains unclear. The aim of this study was to compare postpartum PFD symptoms in women undergoing spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) and those undergoing OVD.

METHODS

An observational prospective study (MOODS: Maternal-neonatal Outcomes in Operative Vaginal Delivery) was enrolled at Hospital de Braga from February to October 2018. All singleton term OVD (Thierry spatulas and vacuum extractor) and a convenience SVD sample were recruited, in a 2:1 ratio. To assess PFD symptoms Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) was applied at 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum. The questionnaire is divided into three subscales: Urinary (UDI), Colorectal-Anal (CRADI), and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory (POPDI).

RESULTS

Of the 304 women recruited, 207 were included, 34.3% with SVD and 65.7% with OVD. Thierry spatulas were used in 53.7% of women undergoing OVD. Frequency of nulliparous (p < 0.001), episiotomy (p < 0.001), neuraxial anesthesia (p < 0.001), postpartum pain (p = 0.001) and occiput-posterior fetal position (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in OVD. Second phase of labor duration was longer in OVD (p = 0.001). At 3 months postpartum, women undergoing OVD and spatula-assisted delivery had higher UDI score, POPDI score, and global score, with no differences at 6 months and 1 year. After controlling for confounding variables, OVD and spatulas were still associated with greater POPDI scores at 3 months postpartum.

CONCLUSIONS

Operative vaginal delivery, particularly with spatulas, seems to be associated with a higher prevalence of early PFD symptoms, mainly regarding pelvic organ prolapse.

The Role of Operative Vaginal Delivery in Postpartum Sexual Dysfunction: MOODS - A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Childbirth brings many changes to women's life and sexual health. The influence of operative vaginal delivery on sexual function has produced inconsistent results.

AIM

To evaluate the effects of mode of vaginal delivery (spontaneous or operative) in postpartum sexual function.

METHODS

Descriptive prospective study (MOODS- Maternal-neonatal Outcomes in Operative Vaginal Delivery) including 304 women who had a singleton term vaginal delivery (operative or spontaneous in a relation 2:1). Women were invited to answer a questionnaire at 3, 6 months and 1 year postpartum.

OUTCOMES MEASUREMENT

A validated questionnaire was applied, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) Score, to evaluate effects of operative delivery on sexual health. Sexual dysfunction was defined by FSFI score <26.55.

RESULTS

211 women answered at least one questionnaire. Overall rate of sexual dysfunction was 62%, 43% and 48% at 3, 6 and 12 months respectively. At 3 months, total FSFI score was significantly lower in operative vaginal delivery group (mean±SD, 21.3±8.6 vs 24.9±7.9, P = 0.015). Arousal (P = 0.028), orgasm (P = 0.029), satisfaction (P = 0.015) and pain (P = 0.007) FSFI domains were also significantly inferior. At this time, 44% women in spontaneous delivery group and 70% in operative delivery group had sexual dysfunction (P = 0.0002). At 6 months, there were no differences in FSFI scores according the type of delivery. At 12 months, total FSFI score was similar in both groups, but pain domain was significantly lower in operative delivery (P = 0.004). Considering type of instrument (Thierry's Spatulas or Kiwi Vacuum), no differences were found regarding episiotomy, perineal trauma, obstetric anal sphincter injury or postpartum complications. FSFI scores did not differ between the two instruments at any time point. A logistic regression showed that, when controlled for perineal trauma, mode of delivery was independently associated with sexual dysfunction at 3 months (P = 0.02).

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Clinicians should assess women's sexual health during pregnancy and postpartum period in order to enhance their wellbeing.

STRENGTHS/LIMITATIONS

Strengths include its prospective design, standardized questionnaire and the new perspectives about a different obstetrical instrument (Thierry's spatulas). Limitations include the absence of pre-pregnancy sexual function data and considerable drop-out rate.

CONCLUSION

Sexual dysfunction affects a great proportion of newly mothers and in postpartum period mode of delivery and perineal trauma seem to play an important role. Although there was a progressive reduction over time, prevalence of sexual dysfunction at 6 months and 1 year postpartum was still considerable. The type of obstetrical instrument does not seem to influence short or long-term sexual function. de Sousa NQ, Borges AC, Sarabando R, et al. The Role of Operative Vaginal Delivery in Postpartum Sexual Dysfunction: MOODS - A Prospective Study. J Sex Med 2021;18:1075-1082.

Spatulas for operative vaginal birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Operative vaginal birth represents an alternative to address problems during the second stage of labor. Obstetricians have access to three different instruments forceps, vacuum, and spatulas.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the use of spatulas for operative vaginal birth.

SEARCH STRATEGY

MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, LILACS, SciELO, ClinicalTrials.gov, and OpenGrey.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized controlled studies and non-randomized controlled studies (NRS) were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Studies were independently assessed for inclusion, data extraction, and risk of bias.

MAIN RESULTS

Nine NRS (n = 16  497 women) compared the use of spatulas versus forceps. Low-certainty evidence suggests that spatulas were not different in terms of failed operative vaginal delivery rate (odds ratio [OR] 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53-1.52), but may decrease the incidence of birth canal trauma (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.54-0.91), birth canal laceration (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28-0.91), and neonatal soft-tissue injury (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.13-0.29). Six NRS (n = 2992 women) compared the use of spatulas versus vacuum. Low-quality evidence suggests that spatulas may decrease failed operative vaginal delivery rate (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.04-0.26). There were no apparent differences in other maternal and neonatal outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Low-certainty evidence suggests that, spatulas could be a safe and effective alternative for operative vaginal birth.

Comparison of maternal and neonatal outcomes after forceps or spatulas-assisted delivery

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the perinatal outcomes associated with spatulas or forceps assisted delivery.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a bicentric retrospective cohort study including all assisted deliveries in cephalic presentation after 37 weeks of gestation, performed on singleton pregnancy with forceps and with spatulas in two tertiary centers. The main outcome was the rate of episiotomy. Secondary outcomes included obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), maternal outcomes and neonatal parameters.

RESULTS

Out of 37 002 deliveries, the overall rate of assisted delivery was 11.4 %, and 1 041 (2.8 %) assisted deliveries with forceps and 2 462 (6.7 %) spatulas deliveries were included. The rate of episiotomy was 90.3 % after forceps-assisted delivery and 70.9 % for spatulas (p < 0.001). The rate of OASIS was 7.2 % and 5.6 % respectively (p = 0.06). A slight but significant decrease in neonatal trauma after spatulas was observed.

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective cohort study, the episiotomy rate was higher with forceps assisted deliveries than with spatulas. Both instruments have low neonatal morbidity and are similar regarding OASIS.

[Perineal risk and obstetrical protection: A survey with birth professionals]

OBJECTIVES

The main objective was to evaluate the practices declared by birth professionals in the Lorraine region about perineal obstetric protection (any perineal tear combined). The secondary objective was to evaluate prevention measures performed in practice by birth professionals according to the perineal risk subjectively estimated for each obstetric situation.

METHODS

This is a practice survey conducted through an anonymous questionnaire distributed to birth professionals (gynecologists, interns, midwife and midwife student) in October 2016. Topics covered concerned maternal, obstetric and fetal risk factors associated with perineal (1st to 4th degrees) lesions and the associated protective measures. A descriptive analysis of the data collected was conducted.

RESULTS

One hundred and five professionals answered the questionnaire. The identified risk factors were consistent with those highlighted in the literature. Other factors, not known as associated with perineal risk, were cited by professionals (smoking, phototype). If the professional perceived a significant perineal risk, they more frequently practiced an episiotomy (15% vs. 0%, P<0.001) or considered that the delivery should be performed by an obstetrician (34% vs 8%, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

This evaluation shows that birth professionals know the main risk factors for perineal injury. On the other hand, they easily use perineal protection maneuvers (episiotomy for example) without real demonstrated effectiveness.