Comparison of neonatal and maternal outcome between forceps and vacuum delivery

Objectives: to evaluate the neonatal and maternal morbidity,associated with the use of two instruments,and to evaluate which is safer and more effective of the two. study design: cross sectional analytical study. setting: department of obstetrics and gynaecology,fatima memorial hospital,lahore. duration of study: six months. subjects and methods: this cross sectional study was carried out at fatima memorial hospital,lahore over a period of six months. 120 pregnant women meeting the inclusion criteria were registered. risks/benefits explained,informed consent taken. a detailed history taken,examination done,baseline investigations (cbc,blood group,urine c/e. bsr,usg) done. 60 patients were selected for forceps delivery. 60 patients for vacuum extraction. results: the mean age of patients in vacuum group was 25.58 years,and 26.67 years in forceps group. most of the patients were primigravida,53.33% in vacuum group and 61.67% in forceps group. 61.67% patients were booked in vacuum group and 58.33% in forceps group3.33% patients had 3 rd degree perineal tears in vacuum group and 11.67% patients in forceps group. 4 th degree perineal tear was found in 10% patients in forceps group and none in vacuum group. 30% babies delivered through vacuum and 36.67% babies delivered by forceps,had an apgar score <7/10 at 1 minute. after 5 minutes 8.33% neonates in vacuum group and 15% in forceps group had an apgar score <7/10. cephalhaematoma was seen in 20% neonates in vacuum group,and 5% neonates in forceps group. conclusion: vacuum causes much less maternal morbidity in terms of third and fourth degree perineal tears while most of the neonatal morbidities are insignificant in comparison with both instruments.