Forceps

Forceps are a hand-held instrument used for grasping and holding objects, similar in concept to tongs, tweezersor pincers.

They are sometimes used in surgery or medical procedures, especially during labour in pregnancy where they are common for assisting childbirth.

The word is a "binary noun", in that while it takes the plural form, it refers to a single object. Like scissorsor spectacles, it does not have a strictly singular form, and may be referred to as "a pair of" forceps.

Surgical forceps

In the surgical theatre, forceps can be used to handle tissues or needles, or to grasp dressings in a sterile manner. Tissue forcepshave small teeth near their tips, so that tissue can be handled without applying excessive pressure. Smooth forcepsare better for grasping suture material, as when removing sutures. Dressing forcepsare larger, and may appear more like "tongs" than forceps.

Forceps in childbirth

Forceps can be used to assist the delivery of a babyas an alternative to the ventousemethod.

Technique

The cervixmust be fully dilated and the bladderemptied, perhaps with the use of a catheter. The woman is placed in the lithotomy positionand a mild anaestheticis administered (unless an epiduralhas been given). The two sections of the forceps are individually inserted and then locked into position around the baby's head. An episiotomyis performed and then the baby is removed.

Possible indicating factors

• The baby remains in the breechor other unfavourable position
• Fetalor maternal distress(though depending on the severity this may require an emergency caesarean)
• When (further) pushing is contra-indicated
• Arterial hypertension(high blood pressure)

Comparisons to other forms of assisted delivery

Positive aspects

• Can be performed even if the baby is not in the correct position
• Can be used to avoid caesarean delivery
• Delivery of the infant can occur quicker than with emergency caesarean surgery

Negative aspects

• An episiotomyis usually required which itself involves anesthesia
• The internal tissues, particularly the pelvic floor muscles, are bruised
• Women with a previous history of sexual abuse have reported feeling as though they were raped after instrumental deliveries
• An anal fissure can result, where fecal material leaks from the bowel into the vagina
• Facial bruising or temporary marks on the baby
• Nerve damage to the baby
• Skull fractures
• Cervical cord injury to the baby that results in the baby being unable to breathe unassisted

History

Modern obstetrical forceps were invented by Peter Chamberlenaround 1600and kept a family secret for several generations. About 1730the secret leaked out and a public design of the instrument became available.fr:forceps

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia article Forceps.