Kielland's forceps. From controversy to consensus?

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Surgical Instruments
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Kielland's rotational forceps, designed for fetal head malposition, saw decreased use due to safety concerns.
• Recent evidence suggests potential for safe and effective application in modern obstetrics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To re-evaluate the safety and efficacy of Kielland's rotational forceps.
• To compare their success rate against other operative vaginal delivery methods.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent evidence on Kielland's forceps.
• Comparison of operative vaginal delivery success rates and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Kielland's forceps demonstrate higher success rates in operative vaginal delivery compared to rotational ventouse or manual rotation.
• Potential for reduced short and long-term morbidity associated with cesarean section.

Conclusions:

• Kielland's forceps are re-emerging as a valuable tool in obstetrics for trained practitioners.
• Barriers to wider adoption include limited training and need for more robust evidence on rare adverse events.