ACTA FAC. MED. NAISS. 2004; 21 (1): 15-22

Original article

    BIOPHYSICAL PROCESSES AND ANGULAR TRACTION EFFECTS DURING FETAL VACUUM     EXTRACTION

    Folić Miroslav¹, Čitaković Ivanela¹ , Jeremić Branislav²

    ¹ Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Clinical Center Kragujevac
    ² Terotechnology Institute, Mechanical Engineering Faculty Kragujevac

    SUMMARY

    Fetal vacuum extractor (FVE) is used in 0,9-5,2% of births. Variation in frequency of usage of FVE depends primarily upon views and a position of various Obstetric Clinics toward critical moment determination of expulsion phase ending during fetal head stoppage over pelvic exit. The basic dilemma lies in delicate surroundings for accurate determination of FVE placement over fetal head. FVE placement should not cause fetal-pelvic disproportion to the smallest degree. Moreover, it should not risk lesion, of bone, soft or both of those delivery routes. In addition, FVE placement should not apply too strong forces to head as this could cause additional draining of fetal marginal reserves. The first two dilemmas depend primarily on knowledge and experience of obstetrician. The last dilemma is long lasting and still inadequately investigated. Paths for its understanding are a part of modern trends in implementation of medical engineering and other interdisciplinary investigations. These investigations require complex knowledge from various disciplines like Medicine, Modeling processes theory, Biophysics, Electronics, Test & Measurement and Mechanics. This original science project paper is the result of complementary research of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic and Terotechnology Institute of Mechanical Faculty in Kragujevac. This research, first of this kind in Yugoslavia has quantified basic processes of biophysical modeling during FVE with simultaneous angular effects determination.

    Key words: fetal vacuum, extractor, biophysical processes, angular traction