Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Isolation and Biophysical Study of Fruit Cuticles
Published on: March 30, 2012
[Instrumental extraction with Thierry's spatula: 166 cases]
J De Troyer1, J Bouvenot, C D'ercole
1Service de Gynécologie Obstétrique, CHU Hôpital Nord, chemin des Bourelly, Marseille.
Objectives:
To describe the frequency of maternal and neonatal complications resulting from the use of Thierry's spatulas.
Materials And Methods:
This retrospective study included 166 patients treated during a 17-month period.
Results:
For 100% of the patients, the use of the spatulas allowed the extraction of the new born, in 68 cases (41%) the new born was engaged between one and two centimeters below the spines. A medio-lateral episiotomy was performed in 159 patients (96%). A serious perineal tear (Type 3) occurred for 6 of these patients (3.6%). A simple perineal tear (Type 1) or vaginal tear occurred in 24 (18%). Episiotomy was performed in 18 patients and was significantly protective. No case of serious neonatal complication were related to the use of the spatulas.
Conclusion:
We found that perineal tear rate is similar to that observed with other instruments used for fetal extraction. No case of fetal trauma could be related to the use of the spatulas; this was the goal of Thierry who creation the instrument. The use of Thierry's spatulas as a reference instrument is warranted, particularly for cases of prematurity, as these spatulas fulfil the modern obstetrics requirements of fetal protection, without maternal risk.
