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KIELLAND'S FORCEPS: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 April 2012

MARTIN CAMERON
MARTIN CAMERON*
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
*
Martin Cameron, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR7 4UY, United Kingdom Email: martin.cameron@nnuh.nhs.uk
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Extract

Kielland's forceps have been in obstetric practice for over 80 years but their use causes a wide spectrum of reactions in obstetricians. Those that have been well tutored in their use argue that they are a very effective instrument to achieve vaginal delivery in the malpositioned fetus, avoiding the problems of full cervical dilation caesarean section, with low complications in their hands. These exponents of the instrument argue that the “art” of obstetrics is demonstrated in the use of Kielland's forceps. However, others claim that Kielland's forceps are dangerous with high complication rates and that they should be confined to the obstetric museum. This paper reviews the history of the instrument and its inventor, to consider evidence for its effectiveness and its safety, to briefly consider other methods for delivery of the malpositioned fetus at full cervical dilation and finally to complete the journey by considering the future with particular emphasis on training the new generation of obstetricians.

Type
Review Article
Information
Fetal and Maternal Medicine Review , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , February 2012 , pp. 32 - 51
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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