Prophylactic symphysiotomy

352

AMERICAN

JOURNAL

OF

OBSTETRICS

AND

Cyclopropane was present in the fetal blood as in the maternal blood. However, only about found in the fetal as in the maternal blood. Judged by biochemic data, appear to be perhaps less safe the mother would indicate.

GYNECOLOGY

in almost as high concentration half as much nitrous oxide was

cyclopropane as an for the infant than

obstetric anesthetic would the clinical appearance of WILLMM

Smith,

Clement

A.: Effect of Maternal

Oxygenation 70:

i87,

of

Nitrous

and Fetal

Oxide Blood

C. HENSKE.

Oxygen Ether Anesthesia at Delivery, Burg. Gynec.

Upop:

Judging by the amount of oxygen reaching the fetus at birth, the presented indicate nitrous oside and oxygen alone or combined with to be a less satisfactory obstetric anesthesia than ether alone. WILLIAM

Kiihnel,

P.:

Forceps,

Obst.

1940.

The Treatment ilct,a.

obst.

et

of Uterine gym%.

Atony

Scandinav.

in Labor 18:

465

data ether

C. HENSKE.

by Means of the Scalp

1938.

In 14 cases of pronounced uterine atony in which there was a cephalic presentation, the author used a scalp forceps with a weight attached to it. Other methods of stimulating labor pains were tried before this measure was employed. The results were so encouraging that the aut,hor recommends this precedure in cases of uterine atony where other measures have failed and the only alternative seems to be a craniotomy. The author also employed weight traction on a scalp forceps in a Case of breech presentation. J. P. GREENIIILL. Rucker,

M.

Pierce:

Rielland

Forceps, Virginia

M.

Monthly

66:

676,

1939.

The author states that the Kielland forceps exert practically no pressure The head can flex and extend and on the baby’s head when properly applied. rotate as the birth canal may determine. For this reason delivery can be effected with less force than with any other type of forceps. Rucker on several occasions has been unable to deliver the baby with the axis traction forceps without using unwarranted force, aud then, substituting the Kielland forceps, delivered the baby with ease. The classical conditions for forceps applications must be present with the Kielland forceps just as with any other model. To use the Kielland forceps successfully they must be applied according to the technique outlined by Kielland, which emphasizes accurate diagnosis of the position. Beeausr of the ease with which these forceps are applied and the delivery effected, the author states that their chief fault is that one is tempted to use them when indications for forceps application are not present. EUGENE S. AUER.

Daels and de Backer: 1119,

Prophylactic

Symphgsiotomy,

Zentralbl

f.

Gyngk.

63:

1939.

The writers advocate prophylactic symphysiotomy. They believe that in certain cases of cephalopelvic disproportion symphpsiotomy should be carried out before labor begins when the patient is in good condition and not exhausted as after a hard labor. Such a procedure is without danger and a minor operation. The authors warn against abduction of the thighs in cases of prophylactic symphysiotomy because all they want to accomplish is to increase the diameter of the pelvis only I,$ to 1 cm. so the pelvis map yield a little during labor. J. 1’. GREENHILL.