Impact of simulation training on the management of shoulder dystocia and incidence of permanent brachial plexus birth injury: An observational study

Objective To study the impact of shoulder dystocia (SD) simulation training on the management of SD and the incidence of permanent brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI). Design Retrospective observational study. Setting Helsinki University Women’s Hospital, Finland. Sample Deliveries with SD. Methods Multi‐professional, regular and systematic simulation training for obstetric emergencies began in 2015, and SD was one of the main themes. A study was conducted to assess changes in SD management and the incidence of permanent BPBI. The study period was from 2010 to 2019; years 2010–2014 were considered the pre‐training period and years 2015–2019 were considered the post‐training period. Main outcome measures The primary outcome measure was the incidence of permanent BPBI after the implementation of systematic simulation training. Changes in the management of SD were also analysed. Results During the study period, 113 085 vertex deliveries were recorded. The incidence of major SD risk factors (gestational diabetes, induction of labour, vacuum extraction) increased and was significantly higher for each of these factors during the post‐training period (p