title: Failed instrumental delivery: how safe is the use of a second instrument?
abstract: An audit of failed instrumental deliveries was undertaken to assess the incidence of complications and the adequacy of documentation. When one instrument has failed to effect delivery, the use of a second instrument could in most cases be used to complete the delivery without harm to the mother or baby. However in a small but significant number of cases there are severe maternal or perinatal complications, and these could be the subject of litigation. This could be avoided by adequate pre-application assessment, standard conduct of instrumental delivery and full documentation. Inadequate documentation could be overcome by the use of a pro forma. Selective use of plastic and metal cups could reduce the incidence of failed attempts.
authors.affiliation: Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Edozien
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hirsch