Cephalotripsy is a medical term referring to the crushing of the fetal skull during delivery, commonly used in the past. The word is derived from the Greek words kephalē, meaning "head," and tribo, meaning "to crush." The spelling of cephalotripsy can be explained through its International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription: sɛfələˈtrɪpsi. This transcription breaks down each sound of the word into its individual phonemes, making it easier to understand the spelling of this challenging medical term.
Cephalotripsy is a medical term referring to a surgical procedure or technique aimed at crushing or compressing the head of a fetus during childbirth. This technique is typically employed in cases of obstructed labor or when the size of the fetus is too large for a normal vaginal delivery. Cephalotripsy is believed to have origins that can be traced back to Ancient Greece and Rome.
During the process of cephalotripsy, an instrument known as a cephalotribe is used. The cephalotribe consists of two arms or blades that are applied to opposite sides of the fetal head. Gradual, controlled pressure is then applied to the blades, resulting in the crushing or deformation of the skull. This technique aims to reduce the size of the fetal head, allowing for a safer extraction during childbirth.
Cephalotripsy is considered an extreme measure and is typically employed as a last resort when other methods of delivery, such as cesarean section, are not feasible or available. The success of cephalotripsy relies on the skill and experience of the medical practitioner, as delicate control and gradual application of pressure are required to avoid complications or injuries to the mother and fetus.
In modern medical practice, the use of cephalotripsy is rare, as alternative methods and advancements in obstetric care have rendered it obsolete. However, the historical significance of cephalotripsy in the field of obstetrics cannot be underestimated as it sheds light on the evolution of techniques used to overcome challenging childbirth situations.
Crushing of the fetal head in cases of dystocia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Cephalotripsy" originates from the combination of two Greek words: "kephale" meaning "head" and "tripsis" meaning "rubbing or crushing". "Cephalotripsy" specifically refers to a surgical technique, used in the past, to crush and extract a baby's head during a difficult childbirth.