Operative Vaginal Delivery – An Historical Perspective

Publication date: Available online 23 August 2018Source: Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & GynaecologyAuthor(s): Thomas F. BaskettAbstractThis chapter will cover the evolution of forceps and vacuum assisted delivery of the fetus in cephalic presentation. The options available before the development of obstetric forceps are briefly reviewed. The invention of the forceps in the early 17th century was followed by their evolution over four centuries with the introduction of the pelvic curve, axis-traction and rotational forceps. The phase of prophylactic forceps delivery will be discussed. The development of vacuum assisted delivery has evolved over the past 150 years. However in practical terms the modern era of vacuum assisted delivery began with Tage Malmström’s vacuum extractor in the early 1950s. The evolution of the modern vacuum extractor with metal, soft and hard plastic cups will be reviewed.
Source: Best Practice and Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Category: OBGYN Source Type: research