A new obstetric forceps for the training of junior doctors: a comparison of the spatial dispersion of forceps blade trajectories between junior and senior obstetricians.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to create a new instrument for the training of doctors in the use of forceps and to compare the trajectories of forceps blades between junior and senior obstetricians.


METHODS
We equipped a simulator and forceps with spatial location sensors. The head of the fetus was in an occipitoanterior location, at a "+5" station. Forceps blade trajectories were analyzed subjectively with the 3-dimensional spatial graph and objectively based on 3 points of special interest. Each obstetrician performed 4 forceps blades placements. We compared the trajectories of junior and senior obstetricians.


RESULTS
For senior operators, spatial dispersion was "excellent," "very good," or "good" in 92% of cases, whereas this was the case for only 38% of junior doctors (92% vs 38%; P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
A new instrument has been designed to demonstrate the trajectory of forceps blades during application in a simulator. The instrument captures the difference in experience between senior and junior clinicians.
Service de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, Hospices civils de Lyon, Lyon, France. olivier.dupuis@chu-lyon.fr
Olivier
O
Dupuis
Richard
R
Moreau
Ruimark
R
Silveira
Minh Tu
MT
Pham
Adrien
A
Zentner
Michel
M
Cucherat
René-Charles
RC
Rudigoz
Tanneguy
T
Redarce
D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000592:standards; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009772:Obstetrical Forceps; D011247:Pregnancy