Comparison of Maternal and Fetal Outcomes of Operative Vaginal Deliveries Using Vacuum and Forceps in a Tertiary Hospital

Objective: There is limited knowledge regarding operative vaginal delivery.This study aimed to assess the indications, complications, and maternal and neonatal outcomes of operative vaginal delivery utilizing forceps and vacuum extraction at a tertiary hospital. Materials and Methods:This retrospective analysis included a total of 117 individuals who had undergone operative vaginal delivery at University of Health Sciences Istanbul Kanuni Sultan Sleyman Training and Research Hospital between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2022.The participants were classified into forceps and vacuum extraction groups.Maternal and neonatal outcomes related to demographic characteristics (mean age, parity, BMI) postpartum hemorrhage, perineal lacerations, cervical tears, anal sphincter damage, length of stay, the necessity for neonatal intensive care, the incidence of infant jaundice, cephalohematomas, brachial plexus injuries, and Apgar scores were analyzed. Results:The study included 117 patients, 35 of whom had forceps deliveries and 82 vacuum deliveries.The rate of operative vaginal delivery was 0.35%.Apgar scores at both the first and fifth minute were significantly lower in the forceps group p=0.001The necessity for newborn intensive care, and the occurrence of brachial plexus injury were significantly higher in the forceps group p=0.001The occurrence of cervical tears was higher in the vacuum group p=0.001. Conclusion:Our study has displayed the superiority of vacuum over forceps.In carefully selected circumstances, vacuums are associated with relatively low rates of serious morbidity and mortality in both mother and baby compared to forceps.