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1925 - Why use a clamp?
the use of a clamp. To me the ligation of the cord is one of the simplest processes in obstetrics, and why complicate what is inherently simple? I quite agree that the cord should be tied as close as possible to the skin margin, but a piece of tape does that just as well as an instrument. The clamp crushes and macerates the tissues, and macerated tissue, as is well known, is prone to develop bacteria. This also holds true of the so‐called milking of the cord, which frequently breaks down the outer surface and so favors the entrance of infection." [4, p740] 4. Levy WE. Discussion of the paper by JF Dicks: Treatment of the umbilical cord short ligation and the use of a clamp. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1925 Nov; 10(5) : 739-40.
and antiseptic agents became increasingly important. However, waiting for pulsations of the umbilical cord to cease before ligating it in the traditional way, or by use of the newly introduced clamp, remained the standard of care. The comment by Levy above provides evidence that milking the cord to maximize transfer of blood to the baby was a technique used by some. |