[Focus on the Odon Device™: Technical improvements, mechanical principles and progress of the clinical research program]. / Mise au point sur l'Odon Device™ : amélioration technique, fonctionnement et avancée du programme de recherche clinique.

The Odon Device™ has been described in the literature since 2013 and the World Health Organization supports its development through the Human Reproduction Program. This innovative device could be easier to use than usual instruments and could be an alternative to caesarean section during the second stage of labor, especially in countries where access to obstetric care is limited. The aim of the Odon Device™ is to position an air cuff over the fetal head, past its widest point (around the level of the fetal mouth anteriorly and the nape of the fetal neck posteriorly). Three mechanical principles favor the progression of the fetal head with the Odon Device™: partial propulsion, limited flexion and traction. Preliminary clinical studies on animals and simulators are reassuring and show that an appropriate use is no more at risk than the vaccum or forceps. A phase 1 study was conducted in Argentina and South Africa between 2011 and 2017. The reported failure rate was 29%, of which 77% was secondary to a mechanical failure of one of the components of the device. Improvements concerning the applicator, the handles and the inflatable air cuff have been made to the device. Phase II of the clinical research program began in 2018 and includes two studies in two different centers: The ASSIST Study in Bristol, England, and The BESANCON ASSIST Study, Besançon, France.

Feasibility of two-dimensional ultrasound shear wave elastography of human fetal lungs and liver: A pilot study.

PURPOSE: The first aim was to evaluate feasibility and reproducibility of 2-dimensional ultrasound (2D) shear wave elastography (SWE) of human fetal lungs and liver between 24 and 34weeks of gestation. The second aim was to model fetal lung-to-liver elastography ratio (LLE ratio) and to assess its variations according to gestational age and maternal administration of corticosteroids. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 2D-SWE examinations were prospectively performed in fetuses of women with an uncomplicated pregnancy (group 1) and fetuses of women with a threatened preterm labor requiring administration of corticosteroids (group 2). Two 2D-SWE examinations were performed at "day 0" and "day 2" in group 1; before and 24hours after a course of corticosteroid in group 2. Three operators performed 2 cycles of 3 measurements on the lung (regions A1, A2, A3) and the liver (regions IV, V, VI). Repeatability and reproducibility of measurements were calculated. The fetal LLE ratio was modeled from the most reproducible regions. RESULTS: Fifty-five women were enrolled in group 1 and 48 in group 2. For the lung, 8.6% of measurements were considered invalid and 6.9% for the liver. The most reproducible region for the lung was A3 [ICC between 0.70 (95% CI: 0.42-0.85) and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.48-0.90)] and region VI for the liver [ICC between 0.70 (95% CI: 0.40-0.85) and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.60-0.94)]. According to gestational age, a moderate positive linear correlation was found for stiffness values of A3 (R=0.56), V (R=0.46) and VI (R=0.44). LLE ratio values at "day 0" were not different between the two groups but decreased at "day 2" in group 2 (0.2; 95% CI: 0.07-0.34; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Quantitative fetal lung and liver stiffness measurements are possible with 2D-SWE with acceptable reproducibility.

[Manual rotation in occiput posterior position: A systematic review in 2019]. / Rotation manuelle des variétés postérieures : état des lieux de la littérature en 2019.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and the benefits of manual rotation in the management of Occiput-posterior positions in 2019. METHODS: A systematic review of literature was performed using the MEDLINE and COCHRANE LIBRARY databases, in order to identify articles concerning maternal and neonatal outcomes after a manual rotation, through January 2019. Information on study characteristics (review, author, year of publication), population, objectives and main neonatal and maternal outcomes were extracted. RESULTS: A total of 51 articles were identified and 12 articles were selected for the systematic review. The rate of successful manual rotation were about 47 to 90%. There were more success if systematic manual rotation, multiparity, engagement, spontaneous labour and maternal age<35. The 2nd stage of labour was shorter after an attempt of manual rotation. The randomised controlled trials did not find any statistical difference concerning operative deliveries or neonatal and maternal outcomes. CONCLUSION: The manual rotation is an obstetrical manoeuvre which must be regulated and only practiced by trained operators. Currently, the state of science is not sufficient to recommend the manual rotation as a systematic practice in 2019.

[Impact of a major decrease in the use of episiotomy on perineal tears in a level III maternity ward]. / Influence d'une forte diminution du recours à l'épisiotomie sur le taux global de périnée intact et peu lésionnel dans une population d'une maternité de niveau III.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perineal outcome after a major decrease in episiotomy rate in a high-risk (level III) maternity ward. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study in a teaching high-risk maternity comparing perineal tears between 2003 and 2010. We included for analysis: pregnancies at 25 weeks or more, fetal birthweights of 500 g or more, vaginal deliveries in our maternity, singletons or multiple pregnancies, cephalic or breech presentations. RESULTS: The two populations were comparable. In 2003, we performed 18.8% of episiotomies and 1.3% in 2010. Between these years, our intact perineum rate increased from 28.8 to 37.5% (P<0.0001). We also report an increase in first and second degree perineum lesions (20.5% in 2003 and 40.2% in 2010, P<0.0001) and anterior perineal lesions (17.8% in 2003 and 30.3% in 2010, P<0.0001). We also report a significant decrease in perineal lesions with sphincter injuries (1% in 2003 and 0.3% in 2010 P<0.0001). DISCUSSION: Comparing 2003 to 2010, the majority of cases with no episiotomy (over 2/3) resulted in first degree perineum lesions which are today recognized as benign lesions without any systematic need for suturing. A restrictive use of episiotomy increases the rate of intact perineum and of "non-severe" perineal lesions.