Objectives: To determine the trends in the mode of delivery in deep transverse arrest (DTA) over two decades and their impact on maternal morbidity and neonatal outcome.
Methods: Obstetric and neonatal records of women with DTA who delivered at Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh in the years 1970, 1980 and 1990 were analyzed.
Results: Although Kielland's forceps was used very frequently in 1970 (44.4%) it had disappeared by 1990 because of increased morbidity associated with it. Instead, use of vacuum extractor and cesarean section has increased over the years. Manual rotation forceps extraction was the most commonly used vaginal method of delivery over two decades (49.5%). Perinatal outcome was better with manual rotation forceps extraction or vacuum extraction as compared to Kielland's forceps. Cesarean section was associated with a high incidence of birth asphyxia (30%).
Conclusions: Manual rotation forceps extraction and vacuum extraction are safe methods of delivery in DTA. Cesarean section as an alternative does not improve the perinatal outcome.