Perinatal outcomes of vacuum assisted versus cesarean deliveries for prolonged second stage of delivery at term

Inconsistent definitions of prolonged labor in international literature: a scoping review

Objective

Prolonged labor is the commonest indication for intrapartum cesarean section, but definitions are inconsistent and some common definitions were recently found to overestimate the speed of physiological labor. The objective of this review is to establish an overview of synonyms and definitions used in the literature for prolonged labor, separated into first and second stages, and establish types of definitions used.

Data sources

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Emcare, and Academic Search Premier.

Study eligibility criteria

All articles in English that (1) attempted to define prolonged labor, (2) included a definition of prolonged labor, or (3) included any synonym for prolonged labor, were included.

Methods

Data on study design, year of publication, country or region of origin, synonyms used, definition of prolonged first and/or second stage, and origin of provided definition (if not primarily established by the study) were collected into a database.

Results

In total, 3402 abstracts and 536 full-text papers were screened, and 232 papers were included. Our search established 53 synonyms for prolonged labor. Forty-three studies defined prolonged labor and 189 studies adopted a definition of prolonged labor. Definitions for prolonged first stage of labor were categorized into: time-based (n=14), progress-based (n=12), clinician-based (n=5), or outcome-based (n=4). For the 33 studies defining prolonged second stage, the majority of definitions (n=25) were time-based, either based on total duration or duration of no descent of the presenting part.

Conclusions

Despite efforts to arrive at uniform labor curves, there is still little uniformity in definitions of prolonged labor. Consensus on which definition to use is called for, in order to safely and respectfully allow physiological labor progress, ensure timely management, and assess and compare incidence of prolonged labor between settings.

Can We Predict Feto-Maternal Adverse Outcomes of Vacuum Extraction?

Introduction Vacuum extraction (VE) is an important modality in modern obstetrics, yet sometimes results in maternal or neonatal adverse outcomes, which can cause a lifetime disability. We aimed to characterize potential risk factors for adverse outcomes that in retrospect would have led the physician to avoid the procedure. Materials and Methods Retrospective cohort of 3331 singleton pregnancies, ≥ 34 w delivered by VE. 263 deliveries (7.9%) incurred a VE-related feto-maternal adverse outcome, defined as one or more of the following: 3-4th-degree perineal laceration, subgaleal hematoma, intracranial hemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, clavicular fracture, Erb's palsy or fracture of humerus. 3068 deliveries (92.1%) did not have VE-related adverse outcomes. Both groups were compared to determine potential risk factors for VE adverse outcomes. Results Multivariable regression found seven independent risk factors for VE-related feto-maternal adverse outcomes: Nulliparity - with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.82 (95% CI = 1.11-2.98, p = 0.018), epidural anesthesia (OR 1.99, CI = 1.42-2.80, p < 0.001), Ventouse-Mityvac (VM) cup (OR 1.86, CI = 1.35-2.54, p < 0.001), prolonged second stage as indication for VE (OR 1.54, CI = 1.11-2.15, p = 0.010), cup detachment (OR 1.66, CI = 1.18-2.34, p = 0.004), increasing procedure duration (OR 1.07 for every additional minute, CI = 1.03-1.11, p < 0.001) and increasing neonatal birthweight (OR 3.42 for every additional kg, CI = 2.33-5.02, p < 0.001). Occiput anterior (OA) position was a protective factor (OR 0.62, CI = 0.43-0.89, p = 0.010). Conclusions VE-related adverse outcomes can be correlated to clinical characteristics, such as nulliparity, epidural anesthesia, VM cup, prolonged second stage as indication for VE, cup detachment, prolonged procedure duration and increasing neonatal weight. OA position was a protective factor. This information may assist medical staff to make an informed decision whether to choose VE or cesarean delivery (CD).

Management of Calcified Cephalohematoma of Infancy: The University of Michigan 25-Year Experience

BACKGROUND

Cephalohematoma of infancy is the result of a subperiosteal blood collection that usually forms during birth-related trauma. A small proportion of cephalohematomas can calcify over time, causing a permanent calvarial deformity that is only correctable with surgery. The authors present a technique for the excision and reconstruction of calcified cephalohematoma and their management experience over the past 25 years.

METHODS

All patients with a diagnosis of calcified cephalohematoma between 1994 and 2019 were identified. Patients were included if the diagnosis was confirmed by a pediatric plastic surgeon or a neurosurgeon. All patients underwent surgical evaluation followed by surgical intervention or observation. Patient demographics and potential risk factors for both surgical and nonsurgical groups were compared using chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Additional data were collected for the surgical cohort.

RESULTS

Of 160 infants diagnosed with cephalohematoma, 72 met inclusion criteria. Thirty patients underwent surgical treatment. There was no significant difference in demographics, baseline characteristics, or potential risk factors between the operative and nonoperative groups. Mean age at the time of surgery was 8.6 months. Twenty-one surgical patients (70 percent) required inlay bone grafting. All surgery patients had improvement in calvarial shape. The main risk of surgery was blood loss requiring transfusion [eight patients (26.7 percent)]. Thirteen percent of patients experienced minor complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This series of 72 children with calcified cephalohematomas, 30 of whom required surgical intervention, is one of the largest to date. The technique presented herein demonstrated excellent surgical outcomes by restoring normal cranial contours and was associated with a low complication profile.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, IV.

Pregnancy outcome after cesarean section following a failed vacuum attempt

OBJECTIVE

To compare the pregnancy outcome of women who underwent cesarean section in the second stage of labor, with or without a vacuum extraction attempt.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of women who underwent a cesarean section during the second stage of labor in a single tertiary university-affiliated medical center (2012-2019). Pregnancy outcome was compared for women who underwent cesarean section following a failed vacuum extraction to women who had cesarean section during the second stage of labor with no vacuum extraction attempt. Neonatal outcomes included umbilical artery pH less than 7.1, Apgar at 5 min < 7, hypoxemic ischemic encephalopathy and NICU admission. Maternal outcomes included duration of hospitalization, need for blood transfusion and need for re-surgery in 45 days.

RESULTS

Overall, 88,375 women delivered during the study period. Of them, 120 women had a cesarean section following a failed vacuum (study group). Another 551 women underwent a cesarean section in the second stage of labor without a VE attempt (control group). The groups were similar with regard to obstetrical and demographic characteristics. The rates of umbilical artery pH < 7.1 (17.50% vs 6.53%, p < .001), NICU admission (13.33% vs 2.90%, p < .001), hypoxemic ischemic encephalopathy (5.83% vs 0.18%, p < .001) and epicranial sub-aponeurotic hemorrhage (16.67% vs 2.18%, p < .001) were significantly higher in the study group. No significant differences were found in maternal outcomes. In a sub-analysis including only labor with reassuring fetal heart tracing, failed vacuum attempt was associated with higher rate of NICU admission and epicranial hemorrhage (16.67% vs 3.13%, p = .009, 27.78% vs. 3.41, p = .001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Failed vacuum attempt is associated with a significant increased neonatal morbidity, but not increased maternal morbidity.

Bilateral Cephalohematoma With Sagittal Synostosis and Scaphocephaly

Inappropriate fusion of the cranial sutures leads to craniosynostosis and the subsequent skull rigidity can cause many developmental and structural problems. Cephalohematoma is a subperiosteal collection of blood commonly associated with birth trauma or instrument-assisted delivery and is one of the most frequently reported fetal injuries in Caesarian section procedures. There have been very few cases reported of patients with both scaphocephaly due to sagittal craniosynostosis and cephalohematoma and no reports of scaphocephaly with bilateral cephalohematoma as of the date of this report. The current literature suggests that the two conditions are potentially associated, either through mechanical pathways involving trauma or through a complex interplay of growth factors. The authors present a case of bilateral cephalohematoma with scaphocephaly secondary to progressive sagittal craniosynostosis.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes following a prolonged second stage of labor: A meta-analysis of observational studies

Several articles investigated the impact of prolonged second stage of labor on maternal and neonatal outcomes; however, strict consensus is still lacking. The purpose of the present meta-analysis is to investigate risk factors that contribute to the pathophysiology of prolonged labor as well as effect sizes of maternal and neonatal morbidity. We searched Medline, Scopus, Clinicaltrials.gov, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials CENTRAL and Google Scholar database. Observational studies (prospective and retrospective) were considered eligible for inclusion in the present meta-analysis. To minimize the possibility of article losses we avoided language, country and date restrictions. Meta-analysis was performed with the RevMan 5.3 and secondary analysis with Rstudio. Overall, 13 studies were included in the present systematic review that comprised 337.845 parturient. Prolonged second stage was associated with higher odds of postpartum hemorrhage, chorioamnionitis, endometritis, postpartum fever and obstetric anal sphincter injury. Persistent occiput posterior position and shoulder dystocia were also more prevalent compared to women with normal duration of the second stage. The need for admission to the neonatal intensive care unit was higher as well as the risk of developing neonatal sepsis. On the other hand, the odds of perinatal death were comparable among cases with prolonged and normal duration of the second stage. The results of the present meta-analysis clearly indicate that deliveries following a prolonged second stage of labor are at increased risk of maternal and neonatal complications. The presented effect estimates can be used in current clinical practice during patient counseling.

Perinatal outcomes of babies delivered by second-stage Caesarean section versus vacuum extraction in a resource-poor setting, Nigeria - a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the perinatal status of neonates delivered by assisted vaginal delivery (AVD) versus second-stage caesarean birth (CS).

METHODS

A 5-year retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary hospital. Data was analyzed with IBM SPSS® version 25.0 statistical software using descriptive/inferential statistics.

RESULTS

A total of 559 births met the inclusion criteria; AVD (211; 37.7%) and second-stage CS (348; 62.3%). Over 80% of the women were aged 20-34 years: 185 (87.7%) for the AVD group, and 301 (86.5%) for the second-stage CS group. More than half of the women were parous: 106 (50.2%) for the AVD group, and 184 (52.9%) for the second-stage CS group. The commonest indication for intervention in both groups is delayed second stage: 178 (84.4%) in the AVD group, and 239 (68.9%) in the second-stage CS group. There was a statistically significant difference in decision to delivery interval (DDI) between both groups: 197 (93.4%) women in the AVD group had DDI of less than 30 min and 21 women (6.0%) in the CS group had a DDI of less than 30 min (p <  0.001). During the DDI, there were 3 (1.4%) intra-uterine foetal deaths (IUFD) in the AVD and 19 (5.5%) in the CS group (p = 0.023). After adjusting for co-variates, there were statistically significant differences between the AVD and CS groups in the foetal death during DDI (p = 0.029) and perinatal deaths (p = 0.040); but no statistically significant differences in severe perinatal outcomes (p = 0.811), APGAR scores at 5th minutes (p = 0.355), and admission into the NICU (p = 0.946). After adjusting for co-variates, use of AVD was significantly associated with the level of experience of the care provider, with resident (junior) doctors less likely to opt for AVD than CS (aOR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.29-0.70).

CONCLUSION

Second-stage CS when compared with AVD was not associated with improved perinatal outcomes. AVD is a practical option for reducing the rising Caesarean delivery rates without compromising the clinical status of the newborn.

Vacuum Extraction in Preterm Deliveries and Long-Term Neurological Outcome of the Offspring

BACKGROUND

Concern exists regarding a possible harmful impact of vacuum extraction on the preterm newborn. We aimed to evaluate the long-term pediatric neurodevelopmental outcomes of the preterm offspring after vacuum extraction.

METHODS

A population-based cohort analysis was performed comparing the risk for long-term neurological morbidity (up to age 18 years) in preterm (less than 37 completed weeks of gestation) children born via following three delivery modes: vacuum extraction, spontaneous delivery, and Caesarean delivery performed during the second stage of labor. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to compare the cumulative neurological morbidity in all groups. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to control for confounders.

RESULTS

During the study period 11,662 preterm newborns met the inclusion criteria, 97.2% (n = 11,338) of which were born via spontaneous vaginal delivery, 2.3% (n = 267) underwent vacuum extraction, and 0.5% (n = 57) were delivered by Caesarean section during the second stage of labor. Gestational age at delivery median (range) was 36 (29 to 36) weeks for vacuum extractions, 36 (23 to 36) for spontaneous vaginal delivery, and 35 (29 to 36) for Caesarean delivery within second stage of labor. Total pediatric hospitalizations involving neurological diagnoses were comparable between the groups as were the cumulative incidences of total neurological morbidity in the survival curves (log rank P = 0.723). In the Cox regression model, vacuum delivery in preterm newborns was not found to be associated with later pediatric neurological hospitalizations.

CONCLUSIONS

Vacuum extraction performed on preterm newborns does not appear to be independently associated with severe long-term neurological morbidity, as reflected by later pediatric hospitalizations.