This prospective study included 90 cases of
caesarean sections, with vacuum-assisted delivery
using the soft cup vacuum extractor on the fetal scalp
(diameter: 6 cm) and 90 cases of caesarean sections
with usual, manual extraction of the head assisted by
fundal compression. All the patients had undergone a
planned caesarean section in the absence of uterine
activity and preserved amniotic membranes. All
mothers received spinal anesthesia. Inclusion criteria
were a 38-42 week gestation, a singleton gestation, a
cephalic presentation without fetopelvic engagement
by vaginal examination, absence of medical and
pregnancy complications, and patient willingness to be
randomized to delivery technique. Exclusion criteria
included fetal structural malformation, intrauterine fetal
death, or evidence of high-risk fetal status.