vacuum extractor
instrument
Quick Summary
A vacuum extractor is a medical instrument used in childbirth as an alternative to forceps delivery. It is a cap-like device that attaches to the fetal scalp via suction. This method is more common in Europe than in the United States. While it can cause cervical and vaginal trauma, it is generally less severe and less frequent than with forceps. Potential fetal complications include scalp damage and intracranial hemorrhage.1
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