Vacuum application through a nonfully dilated cervix: a viable option

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the feasibility of vacuum delivery through a nonfully dilated cervix. The study group consisted of 39 women with vacuum deliveries through a nonfully dilated cervix larger than 9 cm and station of the head at S or more +2 cm. These were compared to a control group of 215 vacuum deliveries at a fully dilated cervix and 46 women who underwent cesarean section at a nonfully dilated cervix larger than 9 cm. The main indication for vacuum extraction in the study group was fetal distress and in the control groups prolonged 2nd stage, dysfunctional labor and fetal distress. Maternal and neonatal morbidity was low and not different between the groups. Neonatal well being, evaluated by cord pH and 5-min Apgar score, was not different. Based on predefined criteria, vacuum extraction through a nonfully dilated cervix is a viable alternative to emergency cesarean section and is apparently not associated with higher maternal or infant morbidity.