SPINAL CORD INJURY OF THE FETUS DURING DELIVERY WITH KIELLAND'S FORCEPS

Abstract

Summary A patient, whose membranes had been ruptured for 60 hours, was delivered at term by Kiellanďs forceps rotation under general anaesthesia of a baby with complete spinal paralysis below C.2. No amniotic fluid was seen during labour or delivery. Although there were no external signs of trauma to the cord or spine at autopsy, sections of the cord revealed interstitial haemorrhage with laceration and oedema at the level of C.2. This damage may have been caused by failure of the trunk to rotate with the head in the absence of amniotic fluid.