Introduction

Persistent occiput posterior (OP) position is the most common malposition at delivery, with an incidence ranging from 2 to 13% [1,2]. To date, it is still unclear if OP presentations originate prenatally (or in early labor) [3] or result from a malrotation from occiput anterior (OA) or occiput transverse (OT) positions [4]. They are associated with prolonged labor, increased rates of operative vaginal and cesarean deliveries and higher risk of maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes [1,2,5]. Therefore, fetal head rotation from OP to OA has been proposed to decrease morbidity.

Sims' posture consists in a maternal lateral recumbent during labor on the same side as the fetal spine. It might enhance rotation to OA position and hence reduce incidence of cesarean deliveries [6]. Nevertheless, it is not recommended by the French College of Obstetricians due to a lack of evidence [7].

Manual rotation is a common and effective technique to decrease cesarean delivery rate in patients presenting with persistent OP position during labor [8]. The success of the procedure depends on maternal age and parity, cervical dilatation and indication for rotation. However its failure rate is high, ranging from 10 to 26%.

Several studies have described an increase of adverse outcomes for both mother and baby associated with instrumental rotations (IR) [9-11]. Therefore the use of rotational forceps is still debated and has been prohibited in many maternity wards. Conversely, others have suggested IR to be a safe option for the management of persistent OP positions, yielding decreased maternal morbidity rates [12].

Designed in 1950, Thierry’s spatulas (TS) are made of 2 independent control spoons (Figure 1). The blades have a large cephalic curve that prevents excessive traction on the fetal head. Their minimal pelvic curve may be compatible with fetal head rotation. Their mechanism of action is based on direction and propulsion rather than traction. They propel the fetus through the birth canal in the suboccipitomental axis, taking support laterally on maternal perineum and medially on fetal malar bones. TS are commonly used in our maternity ward for operative deliveries and IR, with good efficiency. However, specific data assessing the use of TS in IR are lacking.

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Figure 1. Thierry' spatulas. Note there is no lock between right and left blades.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078124.g001

Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the immediate perineal and neonatal morbidity associated with IR performed with TS in comparison to non-rotational forceps and spontaneous deliveries in women diagnosed with persistent OP position.

Patients and Methods

Results

Population stratification

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Figure 2. Delivery outcomes following instrumental rotation.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078124.g002

Among the 4490 deliveries occurring during our study period, 157 patients matched our inclusion criteria (3.5%). Among the study population, 104 (66.2%) patients delivered in OP position without attempt of rotational procedure: 46 (29.3%) deliveries were spontaneous (SD group) and 58 (36.9%) were assisted (AD group). Noteworthy, the diagnosis of OP presentation was made at the time of delivery for 28 (SD) and 44 (AD) patients. Fifty-three (33.8%) patients delivered after IR. Indications for instrumental delivery were mainly failure of progress (59.4%), fetal bradycardia (19.8%) or both (18.9%).

Discussion

Our study supports that instrumental rotations (IR) performed for persistent OP positions with Thierry’s Spatulas (TS) are efficient and not associated with poorer outcomes compared to spontaneous deliveries (SD) and assisted deliveries without rotational procedure (AD) regarding immediate maternal and neonatal morbidity.

Few studies focusing on TS are available, mainly because they are not spread in many institutions worldwide [13-15]. However, TS are commonly used by French obstetricians and continue to be taught in several maternity wards. Their efficiency regarding OP position management is still debated [16,17]. In a prospective cohort of primiparous women, TS allowed fetal extraction in all cases, independently of fetal head position [14].

Mediolateral episiotomy was largely performed in patients with instrumental deliveries (95.5%) while its rate was 39.1% in SD group. Recent prospective studies failed to demonstrate that routine episiotomy was responsible for increased anal sphincter tearing in operative vaginal deliveries [18,19]. Restrictive use was associated with less post partum hemorrhage and perineal infections. Episiotomy should not be performed routinely, as supported by the 2006 French College of Obstetricians guidelines [20]. However, in a 2008 British survey, two-thirds of obstetricians held the view that routine use of episiotomy decreased the likelihood of severe perineal lacerations in forceps delivery, suggesting that it would take time for general practice to evolve [21]. Our study period started the first year following publication of the French guidelines, thus the high rate of episiotomies. Noteworthy, routine episiotomy was only associated with instrumental extractions. Similarly, high rates of episiotomy have been reported in all studies focusing on TS. Beyond old habits, the mechanism of action of TS may partially explain the rate of episiotomy. Contrary to conventional forceps, TS comprise 2 independent spoons that are moved aside to propel fetal head, resulting in tensing perineum. Obstetricians might thus be more liable to perform an episiotomy.

Within the study population, primiparous were predominant and persistent OP position was associated with a high rate of operative deliveries (70.7%), similar to other studies [1,5]. As expected, median parity was significantly higher in patients that delivered spontaneously. Primiparity, assisted vaginal deliveries and OP positions have been shown to be independent risk factors for severe perineal lacerations [5]. Nevertheless, we observed a very low incidence of severe perineal tears (2.5%) and no fourth-degree laceration occurred. Surprisingly, previous studies have reported higher rates of severe perineal tears associated with TS extractions for persistent OP positions, ranging from 8.2% to 17.4% [13,22]. We have no formal explanation for such discrepancy. Operative delivery reports were conscientiously filled in and data collection was achieved right after delivery. True extent of perineal injury might have been under-staged. However, we always carefully control cervical, vaginal and perineal areas after instrumental extractions.

Rotational forceps > 45° for persistent OP positions may increase traumatic neonatal outcomes [23,24]. Hankins et al. have reported a 9.7% rate of severe injuries, including facial and brachial nerves tears and subdural hematoma [24]. Conversely, vacuum extractors improve fetal head rotation and may reduce OP delivery rate. They are associated with less immediate maternal complications, while long-term morbidity (pelvic floor dysfunction) is not reduced [25]. However, vacuum extractors are also associated with severe potential complications [26] and have been banished by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada [27].

In few reports, paradoxically, rotational forceps are described as a safe procedure when performed by experienced physicians. In a retrospective cohort of 267 patients, Feldman et al. provide comparative outcomes between rotational and non-rotational forceps deliveries [12]. Indeed, IR performed with Leff’s forceps led to decreased rates of episiotomy and severe perineal lacerations and was associated with shorter duration of second stage of labor. Furthermore, Al-Suhel et al. have shown that prudent use of Kjelland's forceps for fetal head rotation was responsible for a very low rate of perinatal adverse outcomes, indistinguishable from non rotational vacuum extractor [28]. Obstetrician experience strongly participates in reducing morbidity associated with IR, and the type of instrument probably represents an additional important parameter. Consequently, beyond the procedure itself, we have to determine which forceps are convenient for IR.

Regarding neonatal morbidity, the comparison should be restricted to IR and AD, since SD were likely the easier deliveries. Indeed, cutaneous injuries only occurred after assisted extractions. Similarly, all the transfers to pediatric unit were observed after instrumental deliveries, with no significant difference between AD and IR. It should be emphasized that every preterm birth among the study population required assistance for delivery. Beyond the bias it conveys, this finding highlights the fact that the association of prematurity and failure of progress or abnormalities in the fetal heart monitoring prompted the obstetrician to accelerate the delivery.

TS have been evaluated once in IR. In a preliminary study on primiparous, Parant et al. included 49 persistent OP vaginal deliveries and found no significant difference between AD and IR group regarding several perineal tears and neonatal morbidity [22]. In our study, incidence of third degree lacerations was similar in the 3 groups and perineal hematoma only occurred after IR, with no statistical significance. We have found no difference in neonatal morbidity. Therefore, we cannot conclude that patients and neonates would benefit from IR.

In conclusion, the debate surrounding IR for persistent OP presentations continues, as we seek to optimize outcomes for both mother and baby. The literature supports the hypothesis that the safety profile of an instrument is largely determined by the experience of the clinician with that particular instrument, although it is likely that some instruments are inherently more prone to causing birth injury than others. In this retrospective study of Thierry’s spatulas rotations for persistent OP presentations, we found an increase of morbidity in cutaneous injuries to the neonate, and an increase in pediatric unit transfers when compared to spontaneous deliveries. However, when compared to assisted deliveries, instrumental rotations were not associated with increased morbidity. With the data presented here, it is now possible to design larger prospective studies to determine if use of Thierry’s spatulas will benefit or harm mother and new born infant.