The Carit Maneuver: A Novel Approach for the Relief of Shoulder Dystocia—A Case Series

Abstract

Objective The main purpose of this article is to describe the technique and mechanism of action of a novel intervention for the relief of shoulder dystocia we are labeling Carit maneuver.

Methods We report a cohort study of eight cases of shoulder dystocia not relieved by the combination of McRobert's maneuver and suprapubic pressure treated with the Carit maneuver. This intervention involves the use of the fetal head and neck as the grasping point of the fetus to exert a ventral rotation of the fetal trunk, reduce the bi-acromial diameter, and deliver the posterior shoulder by passive displacement.

In all these cases, the direction of the original head restitution, direction of exerted rotation, and side and location of delivery of the first shoulder were recorded. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were reviewed and reported.

Results In all cases, the Carit rotational maneuver resulted in the delivery of the posterior shoulder in the transverse (4), oblique anterior (2), or direct anterior (2) diameters. No instances of neonatal depression or fetal acidemia were noted in this cohort.

Conclusion The Carit maneuver is an original and successful intervention in the management of shoulder dystocia unresponsive to McRobert's maneuver and suprapubic pressure.

Keywords

shoulder dystocia - shoulder girdle dystocia - rotational maneuver - Carit maneuver

The failure of the shoulder girdle to deliver spontaneously or with minimal assistance, known as shoulder dystocia, continues to represent the “infrequent, unanticipated and unpredictable nightmare of the obstetrician.”[1]

Shoulder dystocia complicates 0.2 to 3.0% of all vaginal deliveries and it is associated with significant neonatal morbidity with potential for significant delays in the transition to extrauterine life (low Apgar scores; hypoxia; acidosis), fetal trauma (clavicular and upper extremity fractures; brachial plexus injuries), and occasional fetal or neonatal mortality.[2] [3] [4] [5]

The management of shoulder dystocia cases has been recognized as largely empirical and current guidelines of management are largely based on expert opinions.[2] [3] [4] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Although several maneuvers have been and continue to be described, no randomized clinical trials or laboratory experiments have compared these techniques directly.[2] [3] [4] [7] [8] [9]

Unfortunately, single interventions have a limited success. In the study by McFarland et al, relief of shoulder dystocia required at least two maneuvers in 39.5% of the cases; 11.6% required three maneuvers and 4.7% required four.[10] One of the most popular and least invasive interventions, the McRobert's maneuver, has a reported success rate in the range of 42% to 58%; the latter when combined with suprapubic pressure.[2] [10] [11] [12] The use of additional maneuvers beyond the McRobert's maneuver has been associated with higher fetal weights, longer labors, and higher rates of fetal injury.[2] [3] [4] [10] [11] Considering these associations, shoulder girdle dystocia not responding to initial maneuvers can be considered a more severe subset of this clinical problem.

In the early 1990s, an obstetric maneuver for the relief of shoulder dystocia was developed by one of the authors (JSM) at the Instituto Materno-Infantil Alfonso Carit in San José, Costa Rica. To date this intervention has never been formally researched or reported.

The purpose of this communication is to describe the Carit maneuver and characterize its mechanism of action through the prospective experience in eight clinical observations.

A literature review was performed to summarize the maneuvers aimed at the management of the relief of shoulder dystocia and set the context for the Carit maneuver.

Methods

Between 2003 and 2006, two of the authors successfully assisted eight cases of shoulder dystocia at the John Sealy Hospital of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas (UTMB) using the Carit maneuver. This level III General Hospital serves as a referral perinatal center for the Southeast part of the State. It has an active Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency. Subspecialists and fellows in Maternal-Fetal Medicine staff the Labor and Delivery ward. Epidurals are placed on demand to women with established labor patterns and in active labor. Attending physicians are present at the time of the delivery, which can take place in labor rooms, delivery rooms, or operating rooms as deemed necessary.

In all cases, a clinical diagnosis of shoulder dystocia was made at the time of delivery and a McRobert's maneuver and suprapubic pressure failed to accomplish delivery. Recognizing a more severe form of shoulder dystocia careful documentation of the side of the original head restitution prior to the maneuver (spontaneous external rotation), the direction of the rotary motion exerted on the fetal head and the position of the first delivering shoulder were documented immediately after delivery.

The location of the delivering shoulder was recorded in an approximation to the nearest outlet diameter by intervals of 45 degrees (direct anterior, left or right anterior, left or right transverse, left or right posterior, and direct posterior). Time between delivery of the head and delivery of the shoulders was not recorded.

Neonatal management was customary according to the clinical circumstances and UTMB neonatology protocols.

Maternal and neonatal data extracted was extracted from the respective medical charts. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the numerical data.

The Carit Maneuver

The Carit rotational maneuver involves the use of the fetal head and neck as the grasping point to effect a ventral rotation of the fetal trunk, a reduction in the biacromial diameter, and delivery of the shoulders. It can be described as the bimanual rotation of the fetal head while supporting the fetal neck with simultaneous downward traction. The direction of rotation is always opposite to the direction of the spontaneous head restitution.

[Fig. 1] illustrates this obstetric technique and its expected results. In cases where the right shoulder is anterior, the head and neck are grasped bimanually by sliding the middle and annular fingers around the fetal neck (left hand anterior) to rotate the head in a counterclockwise sense with simultaneous downward traction toward the floor ([Fig. 1]; upper panel). Conversely, in cases where the head is facing the left shoulder is anterior, the fetal head and neck are grasped with the right hand anterior and clockwise rotation with downward traction effected ([Fig. 1]; lower panel).

Fig. 1 Illustration of the Carit maneuver: The failure of the right shoulder to deliver is illustrated in the upper panel (left to right). In the lower panel, the opposite situation is depicted. In the Carit maneuver, the fetal head and neck are grasped with both hands between the middle and annular fingers to exert a ventral rotation in the contralateral direction from the original head restitution (direction illustrated by the arrows around the fetal heads).

An electronic database search (PubMed and Medline) was performed on the subjects of shoulder dystocia and obstetrical maneuvers, treatment, and/or interventions. Particular emphasis was made on articles reporting on management of shoulder dystocia and obstetrical maneuvers aimed at its relief. The references of these articles were reviewed and pulled if they met the above criteria. Original sources were traced and consulted when possible. No time or language limits were established. A list of the interventions reported for the relief of shoulder dystocia and a tentative classification based on the ultimate mode of delivery was compiled in [Table 1].[6] [7] [8] [9] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]

Table 1 Interventions described for the relief of shoulder dystocia

For vaginal delivery:  • Posterior axillary downward traction (Bourgeois; 1609)/ (Holman; 1963)  • Rotation of shoulders to an oblique diameter (Valli; 1767)  • Delivery of the posterior arm (Jacquemier; 1848) / Barnum; 1945)  • Posterior axillary traction and rotation (De Lee; 1925)  • Ventral posteroanterior shoulder rotation (Woods; 1943)  • Forceps assisted delivery (Shute; 1962)  • Digital splinting of the anterior shoulder (Heery; 1963)  • Dorsal shoulder adduction and rotation (Rubin; 1964)  • Depression of the head and neck with fundal pressure (Hibbard; 1969)  • Vectis-assisted delivery of the anterior shoulder (Chavis, 1979)  • Bilateral thigh flexion and pelvic rotation (Bonnaire; 1899) / McRoberts; 1983)  • “All fours maneuver” (Gaskin; 1988)  • Modified cephalic restitution (Zavanelli) with vaginal delivery (Zelig; 2002)  • Suprapubic pressure: Mazzanti technique (1959) / Rubin technique (1964)  • Episiotomy/proctoepisiotomy  • Symphysiotomy  • Hysterotomy-assisted vaginal delivery (O'Leary; 1992 - O'Shaughnessy; 1998)  • Iatrogenic clavicular fracture or section (cleidotomy)

For abdominal delivery:  • Fetal uterine restitution and cesarean delivery (Zavanelli maneuver) (Sandberg; 1985)

Source: Adapted from references.[6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]

Results

The characteristics of the patients are summarized in [Table 2]. Of the eight cases treated, five were of Hispanic ethnicity and only one was a primigravida. Average maternal age and body mass index were 26.7 ± 5.4 years and 32.7 ± 7.5 kg/m², respectively.

Table 2 Carit maneuver patient characteristics (UTMB 2003–2006)

Case	Age	Ethnic background	Gravidity	Parity	Maternal weight (kg)	Maternal BMI (kg/m2)
1	22	Hispanic	2	1	57.7	24
2	18	Hispanic	1	0	82.9	28.1
3	37	Caucasian	3	2	110	41.6
4	29	Asian	6	2	75	28.3
5	23	Hispanic	3	2	67.7	24.4
6	30	Hispanic	2	1	111.3	46.3
7	27	Hispanic	6	4	87	33.9
8	28	Caucasian	2	1	97.2	35.6

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; UTMB, University of Texas Medical Branch.

[Table 3] summarizes shoulder dystocia characteristics as well as maternal morbidity. In most cases (6/8), the spontaneous head restitution (using the fetal occiput as the reference point) occurred in a clockwise direction. In these cases, the right shoulder is presumably impacted under the symphysis pubis (right shoulder dystocia). In two cases, the spontaneous head restitution occurred in a counterclockwise direction (left shoulder impacted under the symphysis or left shoulder dystocia).

Table 3 Carit maneuver shoulder dystocia characteristics (UTMB 2003–2006)

Case	Head position	Original restitution	Direction of rotation	Shoulder delivered	Location of delivering shoulder	Maternal trauma
1	LOA	Left	Right	Left	Anterior	2nd degree perineal laceration
2	n/a	Left	Right	Left	Transverse diameter	Right labial laceration
3	n/a	Left	Right	Left	Left transverse	1st degree perineal laceration
4	LOA	Left	Right	Left	Left transverse	Right mediolateral episiotomy
5	n/a	Left	Right	Left	Left oblique	None
6	n/a	Right	Left	Right	Anterior	Intact perineum (small side wall not repaired)
7	LOA	Left	Right	Left	Left oblique	None
8	n/a	Right	Left	Right	Transverse	2nd degree perineal laceration

Abbreviations: LOA, left occiput anterior; UTMB, University of Texas Medical Branch.

In all cases, the direction of rotation of the Carit maneuver was deliberately contralateral (as intended) to the original restitution after McRobert's maneuver and suprapubic pressure failed to deliver the anterior shoulder. If the restitution was to the left (from occiput anterior [OA] to left occiput anterior [LOA] or left occiput transverse [LOT]), the rotation was exerted in a counterclockwise direction. If the spontaneous restitution was to the right (from OA to ROA or ROT), the Carit rotation was exerted in a clockwise direction.

Overall, in half of the cases (4/8), the posterior shoulder delivered in a transverse diameter, a quarter (2/8) in the anterior oblique diameter, and a quarter (2/8) in a direct anterior position. It is noteworthy that in all cases, the delivering shoulder was the originally posterior one as judged by the direction of the documented head restitution preceding the Carit maneuver.

No instances of postpartum hemorrhage were observed. Five of out of the eight patients required some degree of vulvovaginal repair either due to spontaneous lacerations or episiotomies. No advanced degrees of perineal injury (third of fourth degrees) were observed.

[Table 4] summarizes the neonatal data. The average fetal weight was 4174.2 ± 670 g (range: 2,904–5,000 g). Five (of 8) neonates weighed more than 4,000 g. No cases of neonatal depression were observed in this series. In all but one case, the arterial pH was above 7.2. The case without arterial blood gases had normal venous cord pH.

Table 4 Neonatal morbidity; Carit maneuver. UTMB; 2003–2006

Case:	Neonatal weight	Apgar scores (1 / 5min)	Arterial pH/pCO2/HCO3	Neonatal morbidity
1	3,520 g	8/9	7.21/59 mm Hg/21 mmol/L	None
2	3,870 g	8/9	7.28/51 mm Hg/N/A	None
3	4,960 g	6/8	7.24/65 mm Hg/27 mmol/L	None
4	4,400 g	8/9	7.22/48 mm Hg/19 mmol/L	None
5	2,904 g	8/9	7.2/71 mm Hg /16 mmol/L	None
6	4,230 g	8/9	7.21/65 mm Hg/18 mmol/L	None
7	5,000 g	8/8	7.29/64 mm Hg/19 mmol/L	None
8	4,510 g	8/9	(*) V: 7.34/ 46 mm Hg/ 33 mmol/L	None

(*): Arterial cord gases not obtained.

Discussion

Shoulder dystocia is an unpredictable delivery complication that requires prompt and effective interventions for a favorable maternal and fetal resolution. Despite multiple maneuvers described to date ([Table 1]), the management of shoulder dystocia is empirical and current guidelines of management are arbitrary.[2] Current guidelines recommend four basic maneuvers including McRobert's maneuver, suprapubic pressure, delivery of posterior arm, and internal rotation.[26] [27] After failure of the McRobert's maneuver, proposed management strategies follow the individual authors' preference of the most complicated, difficult, and infrequently performed maneuvers.[6] [7] [8] [9] Recently the delivery of the posterior shoulder has recently gained popularity as secondary step after its association with high overall success rates.[28] [29] Unfortunately, it can be associated with a substantial increase in the incidence of neonatal humeral fractures.[30]

Suboptimal resolution of shoulder dystocia should be addressed by proper response protocol, education, and training. Studies have shown significant improvement after optimizing clinical response strategies.[31] [32] [33] In this regard, the knowledge of different maneuvers by obstetricians and other birth attendants would be of the greatest value in their daily practice as different cases would likely benefit from different interventions.[7] [8]

Fetal maneuvers for the relief of shoulder dystocia are believed to have additional biomechanical advantages over maternal maneuvers in that they achieve the physiologic rotation required for the shoulders to descend from the inlet and progress unobstructed forward through the midpelvis and eventually the outlet.[12]

The observed mechanism of action of the Carit maneuver contrasts sharply with our assumption and previously held belief that the ventral rotation of the fetal head and neck displaced the anterior shoulder off the symphysis pubis to an oblique diameter, where it was delivered.

We speculate that the ventral rotation of the Carit maneuver reduces the biacromial diameter and trunk circumference in an analogous manner to the Rubin maneuver, allowing for the rotation of the fetal trunk and ultimately the delivery of the originally posterior shoulder, onto an anterior diameter. These characteristics make the Carit manipulation a unique and distinct rotational maneuver.

Although the digital anteroposterior displacement (Woods' maneuver) or the posteroanterior displacement (Rubin's maneuver) are sound options, from a practical standpoint, we have found that these interventions have two shortcomings.[13] [17] First, as experienced by other practitioners there is little room in the birthing canal to introduce one's hand and accomplish these rotations.[17] [20] [34] Second, in the attempt to rotate the anterior shoulder, one has to free the grip from the fetal head, resulting in the loss of axial traction on the presentation. In this situation, the mere rotation of the shoulders can inadvertently result in a loss of fetal station. This principle was acknowledged by both Woods and Rubin in their respective articles. Dr. Woods assisted the intrapelvic rotation of the fetus by preserving fetal station through “a downward thrust on the buttocks of the baby.”[13] Two decades later Rubin recommended fundal pressure by an assistant “after the shoulders are disimpacted.”[17]

More recently, fundal pressure has been identified as a contributor to greater fetal morbidity.[2] [35] Instead of attempting a direct rotation of the shoulders, the intervention described here utilizes the fetal head and neck as the grasping point to accomplish the rotation of the trunk and shoulders.

One of the advantages of the Carit maneuver as a bimanual intervention, it can be easily performed by left- or right-handed individuals, regardless of fetal trunk position. Its use may be particularly beneficial in places where nonskilled obstetrical attendants are responsible for deliveries, since its implementation requires minimal training as demonstrated by the two cases performed by residents under direct faculty guidance with no previous theoretical or practical knowledge of the maneuver.

Given the simplicity and nonmanipulative character of the McRobert's maneuver with suprapubic pressure, we propose the use of the Carit maneuver as a second intervention or maneuver in the management of shoulder dystocia. We believe that its use might prevent maternal and fetal injuries.

While we have not experienced any noticeable fetal trauma associated to the use of the Carit maneuver, we acknowledge that one of the limitations of this report is its small number, which is merely attempting to report the maneuver and its mechanism of action.

To prevent potential fetal trauma with the Carit manipulation, we caution our colleagues on a gentle and steady rotation of the head after 90 degrees, rather than a jerky movement or extreme rotation (more than 180 degrees from the original head position). Usually no more than 90 to 135 degree rotation of the head (normal range up to 220 degree) is required to accomplish the posterior shoulder displacement and delivery.[35]

To our knowledge, this is the first cohort of shoulder dystocia cases where the spontaneous head spontaneous restitution, side of shoulder dystocia and the observation of which shoulder delivers first and where, were prospectively noted and documented. We recommend that future evaluations of the effectiveness of obstetrical maneuvers aimed at the relief of shoulder dystocia consider some of the descriptors used in this report. This information should afford us a better understanding of the mechanism of action of this obstetrical complication and eventually lead us to a better and individualized management.

We propose to our colleagues that the Carit maneuver described here is a novel, quick, and successful intervention in the management of shoulder dystocia. Further utilization of this fetal rotation will reveal its true profile of efficacy and safety when compared with other, more widely utilized obstetrical maneuvers.

Conflict of Interest

None.

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the contributions of Patrick Rozenberg, MD and Anthony R Gregg, MD for their critical review of the manuscript.

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