[Significance of trial vacuum extraction in the framework of obstetric surgery in vertex presentation].

On the basis of a clinical study of 76 infants born by trial vacuum extraction from the pelvic inlet, 57 infants were examined retrospectively with regard to early and late morbidity after "successful" trial vacuum extraction. In 34 cases surgery was indicated because of fetal distress; in 23 children the operation was performed because of a standstill at the pelvic inlet. The results were compared with a group of infants delivered by vacuum and forceps extraction from the centre of the pelvis (or the pelvic floor) or cesarean section in consequence of fetal distress. The results indicate the high risk for children born by trial vacuum extraction, especially in cases of fetal distress. In addition to statistically significant lower Apgar scores and a statistically significant higher acidosis morbidity (p less than 0.05) as compared to other obstetric operations, there is also a statistically significant greater number of "striking" and "injured" children as opposed to those delivered by vacuum or forceps extraction from the centre of the pelvis (or the pelvic floor) or by cesarean section in consequence of fetal distress. These neurological deviations represent primarily the static-motoric and speech development, and are analogous to late morbidity after births from breech presentation. The findings confirm the clinical impression that trial vacuum extraction-especially in cases of fetal distress at the pelvic inlet-represent an additional risk to the child. In such cases cesarean section is the only alternative method of delivery.