Status | Awaiting development |
Technology type | Procedure |
Decision | Selected |
Reason for decision | Anticipate the topic will be of importance to patients, carers, professionals, commissioners and the health of the public to ensure clinical benefit is realised, inequalities in use addressed, and help them make the best use of NHS resources |
Process | IP |
ID number | 1217 |
Description | Insertion of a balloon device to disimpact an engaged fetal head aims to elevate the fetal head, without trauma, immediately before an emergency caesarean section, usually at full dilatation. A disposable soft silicone balloon device is inserted into the vagina, using a lubricant. It is pushed posteriorly towards the coccyx and placed between the pelvic floor and the fetal head, usually at full dilatation of the cervix. The balloon surface is in contact with the fetal head while the base plate of the device rests on the anococcygeal ligament, preventing any downward movement during inflation. This is similar to the placement of a ventouse cup. Once the device is in position, the mother’s legs are placed flat on the operating table, and the balloon is inflated using sterile saline via a tube connected to a 2-way tap. The balloon is designed to inflate only in an upward direction. The engaged fetal head is elevated out of the pelvis by a few centimetres. The intention is to make the delivery easier with less manipulation and to reduce the risk of injury. Immediately after delivery the balloon is deflated by opening the 2-way tap, and the device is removed from the vagina by traction. Following the caesarean, the vagina is inspected for trauma. |
Provisional Schedule
Interventional procedure consultation | 27 June 2022 - 25 July 2022 |
Expected publication | 16 November 2022 |
Email enquiries
- If you have any queries please email ip@nice.org.uk
Timeline
Key events during the development of the guidance:
Date | Update |
---|---|
11 May 2022 | Awaiting development. Status change linked to Topic Selection Decision being set to Selected |
08 July 2021 | Topic selection. IPAC 0 |
For further information on how we develop interventional procedures guidance, please see our IP manual