Predictors for failure of vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery: a case-control study

Corine J. Verhoeven, Chelly Nuij, Christel R. M. Janssen-Rolf, Ewoud Schuit, Joke M. J. Bais, S. Guid Oei, Ben Willem J. Mol

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

To identify potential predictors for failed vacuum-assisted delivery. Retrospective case-control study conducted in two perinatal centers in the Netherlands. Cases were women who underwent a failed vacuum-assisted delivery between 1997 and 2011. A failed vacuum extraction was defined as a delivery that was started as vacuum extraction but was converted to a cesarean section because of failure to progress. As controls we studied two successful vacuum extractions that were performed before the failed one. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the risk for failed vacuum extraction. Between 1997 and 2011, 6734 trials of vacuum extraction were performed of which 309 failed (4.6%). These 309 cases were compared to the data of 618 women who underwent a successful vacuum extraction. Predictors for failed vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery were increasing gestational age (OR 1.2 per week), maternal height (OR 0.97 per cm), previous vaginal birth as compared to nulliparae (OR 0.32), estimated fetal weight ≥3750g as compared to <3250g (OR 5.7), epidural analgesia (OR 3.0), augmentation (OR 1.4), failure to progress as indication for trial of vacuum delivery (OR 1.7), station of descent of the fetal head (OR 0.31 per station more descended), and occiput posterior position (OR 2.6). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of a prediction model integrating these indicators was 0.83. Failed vacuum extraction can be predicted accurately using both ante- and intrapartum characteristics. There is a strong need for prospective studies on the subject
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)29-34
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology
Volume200
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Cite this