[Forceps at a university hospital. Critical study of the evolution of the procedure]

A retrospective study was carried out using the obstetric summaries in a computer between the years 1981 and 1986. The percentage of instrumental deliveries using forceps or spatula was significantly reduced whereas the caesarean section rate stayed the same: the majority of forceps deliveries during the year 1986 (14.5% of all deliveries) were carried out under epidural analgesia (70% of the deliveries) and the mean of these (75%) were carried out for delay. This is a definite change as compared with 1981 and it appears to be linked mainly to an increase in the number of epidural analgesics (70% for forceps deliveries in 1986) and a new appreciation of fetal distress. The maternal results were better because most episiotomies were lateral (60% of cases) which meant that only 1.5% of cases affected the sphincters. The immediate neonatal results were good, but do not seem to have been improved by the changes that have been observed, although the methodology for assessing the state of the neonate has improved.