Assessment of a vaginal device for delivery of the impacted foetal head at caesarean section.
The aim of this study was to assess a new device (Tydeman Tube) designed to facilitate delivery of the impacted foetal head at caesarean section. Standard digital vaginal technique and the Tydeman Tube were each used to elevate the foetal head on a validated full dilatation caesarean simulator. Greater elevation of the foetal head was achieved with the Tydeman Tube than digital technique (mean difference +9.1 mm, p < 0.001). Although greater force was applied to achieve this elevation (mean difference +0.42 Kgf, p < 0.001), the force was spread over a greater area (6.97 cm2versus 2.0 cm2). Therefore, mean pressures applied to the foetal head were lower (mean difference -2.3 Kg cm2, p < 0.001). The first uses of the Tydeman Tube in clinical practice were described. Clinicians found it easy to use and effective (mean score 7.7/10). The Tydeman Tube is an effective tool for delivering the impacted foetal head on a simulator and its initial use in clinical practise has proved positive.
a Division of Women's Health, Women's Health Academic Centre, and Maternal and Fetal Research Unit, King's College London, Division of Reproduction and Endocrinology , St Thomas' Hospital , London , UK.
Nicola
N
Vousden
b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , NHS Fife , Kirkcaldy , UK.
Graham
G
Tydeman
a Division of Women's Health, Women's Health Academic Centre, and Maternal and Fetal Research Unit, King's College London, Division of Reproduction and Endocrinology , St Thomas' Hospital , London , UK.
Annette
A
Briley
a Division of Women's Health, Women's Health Academic Centre, and Maternal and Fetal Research Unit, King's College London, Division of Reproduction and Endocrinology , St Thomas' Hospital , London , UK.
Paul T
PT
Seed
a Division of Women's Health, Women's Health Academic Centre, and Maternal and Fetal Research Unit, King's College London, Division of Reproduction and Endocrinology , St Thomas' Hospital , London , UK.
Andrew H
AH
Shennan
D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004106:Dilatation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D000066908:Simulation Training / Q000379:methods*
Emergency caesarean; impaction; innovation; maternal trauma; second stage