Odon Assist
The Odon Device, now known as OdonAssist™, is an innovative medical instrument designed to facilitate assisted vaginal deliveries. It was inspired by a technique for extracting a cork from a bottle with an inflated plastic bag.
Below is Alison demonstrating how to use the device at the recent RCOG training session that she organised on the management of the second stage.
OdonAssist™ consists of a soft, inflatable air cuff that is placed around the baby's head during delivery. Once positioned, the cuff is inflated to gently grip the head, allowing healthcare providers to assist the birth with controlled traction. This design aims to minimise trauma to both mother and baby, offering a gentler alternative to existing assisted delivery instruments.
Several clinical studies have evaluated the safety and effectiveness of OdonAssist™ with no significant maternal or neonatal safety concerns.
Hotton EJ, Bale N, Rose C, et al. The OdonAssist inflatable device for assisted vaginal birth-the ASSIST II study (United Kingdom). Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2024;230(3S):S932-S946.e3. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2023.05.018
OdonAssist™ offers several potential advantages over traditional assisted delivery methods:
Most important of these is reduced trauma, providing a gentle grip on the baby's head, OdonAssist™ aims to decrease the risk of soft tissue injuries associated with forceps and vacuum extractors. It also reduces maternal trauma to the perineum and pelvic floor muscles caused by traditional instruments.
OdonAssist™ represents a promising advancement in obstetric care, offering a potentially safer and more accessible option for assisted vaginal deliveries.
Dr Alison Wright and Dr Christian Barnick are currently introducing this technique into the Portland Hospital where it will be available to patients under their care.