Home A new obstetrical polyurethane versus stainless steel forceps: a comparison of forces generated to the base of the fetal skull during simulated deliveries
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

A new obstetrical polyurethane versus stainless steel forceps: a comparison of forces generated to the base of the fetal skull during simulated deliveries

  • Theodore M. Hale , Zhengzhuan Shi , Hasitha Idangodage , Ray Mercado , Daniel Skupski and Zoila Veilastegui
Published/Copyright: August 13, 2009
Journal of Perinatal Medicine
From the journal Volume 37 Issue 6

Abstract

Background: Decreasing the maximum force applied during traction to the base of the fetal skull using a less rigid polyurethane forceps is the basis of this study. Our hypothesis was that less force would be generated with polyurethane forceps than with steel forceps.

Objective: To test a new soft polyurethane obstetrical forceps for maximal force generated to the base of the skull during simulated occiput anterior deliveries and to compare this to a similar shaped steel forceps.

Methods: After designing a prototype polyurethane forceps, we used a pelvic manikin model and a fetal manikin model. Force and load sensors were attached at the inner tips of the distal forceps blade. A Tekscan 201 (accurate for measuring 0–25 pounds of force) 0.0008 inches flexible printed circuit was used that measured contact forces. Forceps with an attached calibrated sensor were applied to the fetal head while inside the pelvic model.

Results: The median maximum traction force at the base of the fetal skull was 4.60 pounds (range 4.3–4.62) for polyurethane forceps vs. 9.52 pounds (range 9.22–9.52) for steel forceps (P=0.027).

Conclusion: The polyurethane forceps applied 50% less overall mechanical force than the steel forceps at the tip of the forceps and base of the skull during simulated occiput anterior outlet deliveries.

Keywords: Forceps; polyurethane forceps; vacuum forceps
Corresponding author: Dr. Theodore M. Hale, MD, MA 630 West 246th Street APT 322 Riverdale, NY 10471, USA
Received: 2009-4-21
Accepted: 2009-6-8
Published Online: 2009-08-13
Published in Print: 2009-11-01

©2009 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Expert panel recommendation
  2. Delivery mode for the extremely premature fetus: a statement of the prematurity working group of the World Association of Perinatal Medicine
  3. Review articles
  4. The infant incubator in the neonatal intensive care unit: unresolved issues and future developments
  5. Survival and major disability rate in infant born at 22–25 weeks of gestation
  6. Original articles – Obstetrics
  7. Gene expression profiling of maternal blood in early onset severe preeclampsia: identification of novel biomarkers
  8. Risk assessment for preeclampsia in women with gestational diabetes mellitus
  9. Maternal serum adiponectin multimers in patients with a small-for-gestational-age newborn
  10. Maternal serum adiponectin multimers in gestational diabetes
  11. The effect of maternal obesity on the course of labor
  12. Decreased placental oxygenation capacity in pre-eclampsia: clinical application of a novel index of placental function preformed at the time of delivery
  13. Utility of two-dimensional echocardiography in pregnancy and post-partum period and impact on management in an inner city hospital
  14. A new obstetrical polyurethane versus stainless steel forceps: a comparison of forces generated to the base of the fetal skull during simulated deliveries
  15. Original article – Fetus
  16. Nuchal translucency and lymphatic system maldevelopment
  17. Orginal articles – Newborn
  18. Indicators of compliance for developmental follow-up of infants discharged from a regional NICU
  19. Disparity in circulating adiponectin multimers between term and preterm infants
  20. Reduction of IGF-binding protein-3 as a potential marker of intra-uterine growth restriction
  21. The clinical outcomes of late preterm infants: a multi-center survey of Zhejiang, China
  22. Early enteral feeding in conservatively managed stage II necrotizing enterocolitis is associated with a reduced risk of catheter-related sepsis
  23. Short communications
  24. Serum proinflammatory cytokine – interleukin-8 as possible infection site marker in preterm deliveries
  25. Obstetric outcomes of low-risk labors at ‘Japanese tatami’ mat delivery room: a preliminary study
  26. Letters to the Editor
  27. Diagnosis and treatment of maternal acute myeloid leukemia during pregnancy imitating HELLP syndrome
  28. Vanishing nuchal translucency syndrome
  29. Congenital cataract with de novo balanced reciprocal t(3;13) (q23;q12) translocation in a newborn
  30. Breast feeding as human and divine nourishment
  31. Obituary
  32. Emile Papiernik will stay alive in our thoughts
  33. Congress Calendar
  34. Congress Calendar
  35. Index Volume 37 (2009)
  36. Index Volume 37 (2009) - Contents
  37. Index - Subjects
  38. Index - Subjects
  39. Index - Authors
  40. Index - Authors
  41. Acknowledgement
  42. Acknowledgement
https://doi.org/10.1515/JPM.2009.136
Keywords for this article
Forceps; polyurethane forceps; vacuum forceps

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Expert panel recommendation
  2. Delivery mode for the extremely premature fetus: a statement of the prematurity working group of the World Association of Perinatal Medicine
  3. Review articles
  4. The infant incubator in the neonatal intensive care unit: unresolved issues and future developments
  5. Survival and major disability rate in infant born at 22–25 weeks of gestation
  6. Original articles – Obstetrics
  7. Gene expression profiling of maternal blood in early onset severe preeclampsia: identification of novel biomarkers
  8. Risk assessment for preeclampsia in women with gestational diabetes mellitus
  9. Maternal serum adiponectin multimers in patients with a small-for-gestational-age newborn
  10. Maternal serum adiponectin multimers in gestational diabetes
  11. The effect of maternal obesity on the course of labor
  12. Decreased placental oxygenation capacity in pre-eclampsia: clinical application of a novel index of placental function preformed at the time of delivery
  13. Utility of two-dimensional echocardiography in pregnancy and post-partum period and impact on management in an inner city hospital
  14. A new obstetrical polyurethane versus stainless steel forceps: a comparison of forces generated to the base of the fetal skull during simulated deliveries
  15. Original article – Fetus
  16. Nuchal translucency and lymphatic system maldevelopment
  17. Orginal articles – Newborn
  18. Indicators of compliance for developmental follow-up of infants discharged from a regional NICU
  19. Disparity in circulating adiponectin multimers between term and preterm infants
  20. Reduction of IGF-binding protein-3 as a potential marker of intra-uterine growth restriction
  21. The clinical outcomes of late preterm infants: a multi-center survey of Zhejiang, China
  22. Early enteral feeding in conservatively managed stage II necrotizing enterocolitis is associated with a reduced risk of catheter-related sepsis
  23. Short communications
  24. Serum proinflammatory cytokine – interleukin-8 as possible infection site marker in preterm deliveries
  25. Obstetric outcomes of low-risk labors at ‘Japanese tatami’ mat delivery room: a preliminary study
  26. Letters to the Editor
  27. Diagnosis and treatment of maternal acute myeloid leukemia during pregnancy imitating HELLP syndrome
  28. Vanishing nuchal translucency syndrome
  29. Congenital cataract with de novo balanced reciprocal t(3;13) (q23;q12) translocation in a newborn
  30. Breast feeding as human and divine nourishment
  31. Obituary
  32. Emile Papiernik will stay alive in our thoughts
  33. Congress Calendar
  34. Congress Calendar
  35. Index Volume 37 (2009)
  36. Index Volume 37 (2009) - Contents
  37. Index - Subjects
  38. Index - Subjects
  39. Index - Authors
  40. Index - Authors
  41. Acknowledgement
  42. Acknowledgement
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 2.10.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/JPM.2009.136/html
Scroll to top button