Babes in the woods: teaching the use of the vacuum extractor

Many family physicians in North America have been trained to use forceps when instrumental deliveries are needed; few have been trained to use the vacuum extractor. Vacuum extraction was introduced to family physicians in a geographically isolated hospital. A retrospective chart audit of all instrumental deliveries was done, comparing the four years before the vacuum extractor was introduced with the subsequent four years. Vacuum extraction quickly became the most common form of instrumental delivery and was associated with a lower maternal complication rate than the use of forceps. Fetal complications were infrequent in both groups. A questionnaire was administered to all family physicians practising obstetrics at the hospital after the introduction of the vacuum extractor. Those exposed to the vacuum extractor were enthusiastic about it.