[Obstetrical and neonatal prognosis of monoamniotic twin gestations]. / Pronostic obstétrical et néonatal des grossesses gémellaires monoamniotiques.

Monoamniotic twin gestations result from a late division of the fertilized ovum with development of the two embryos within a common amnionic sac. We performed a retrospective study in our university hospital on nearly 19 years of clinical activities; we found 16 cases of monoamniotic twins. Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes were analyzed and compared to the data in the literature. The pronosis after 28 weeks of gestation does not appear to be influenced by this type of twin gestation and we demonstrate in this study that vaginal delivery is possible and not deleterious.

[Cesarean section for failed vacuum extraction: risk factors and maternal and neonatal outcomes]. / Césarienne pour échec d'extraction par ventouse obstétricale: facteurs de risque et conséquences maternelles et néonatales.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors associated with failed attempts of vacuum extraction and their outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All trial vacuum extractions (metal Minicup) from 1992 to 2000 in Besançon University Hospital Center were retrospectively analysed, namely 2447 cases. Univariate and multivariate analyses of failed vacuum extraction risk factors and descriptive analyse of outcomes were performed. RESULTS: The rate of failed vacuum extractions was 3.47% (85/2447). A multivariate analysis showed the following independent risks factors in failed extraction: extraction above pelvic level + 2 (OR = 1.8; CI 95%: 1.1-3), newborn weight (OR = 2.9; CI 95%: 1.8-4.9), parity >2 (OR = 0.08; CI 95%: 0.01-0.6). In case of failed vacuum extraction, newborns had a significantly higher rate of Apgar score <7 at 1 min (P = 0.0002), but not at 5 min. These newborns were most regularly admitted in pediatric care units (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The failed trial attempt vacuum extraction rate stays low. These failed instrumental extractions are more common in an extraction above pelvic + 2, a high fetal weight and an arrest during the second stage of labor. There is an increased adverse neonatal outcome. Clinical fetal weight estimation and diagnosis of presentation level in mother pelvis must be performed before vacuum extraction.

[Maternal and fetal prognosis of occipito-posterior presentation]. / Pronostic maternel et foetal du dégagement en occipito-sacré.

Occipito-posterior persistent presentation is a relatively rare obstetrical condition, occurring in 2 to 4.5% of deliveries. Failure of the occiput to spontaneously rotate has been associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity. We performed a retrospective study of 210 vaginal occiput posterior deliveries to investigate the influence of this position on maternal and fetal morbidity. Our results demonstrate that overall prognosis of occipito-posterior persistent presentation is good but less auspicious than occipito-anterior presentation on account of importance of perineal injuries and maternal and fetal infections. Forceps extraction in posterior presentation is criticized today. In our opinion, the vacuum extractor is the better instrument because it is less aggressive to maternal tissues and also because, in most cases, the fetal head rotates anteriorly after provoked flexion.