International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Aug 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialPencil-point needle bevel direction influences ED50 of isobaric ropivacaine with fentanyl in spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery: a prospective, double-blind sequential allocation study.
There is little evidence on the influence of bevel direction of a pencil-point needle on the median effective dose (ED50) of isobaric ropivacaine and fentanyl in spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. ⋯ The orientation of the distal aperture of a 26-gauge Whitacre needle during induction of spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery influences the ED50 of 0.75% ropivacaine.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Aug 2015
ReviewSpinal dysraphisms in the parturient: implications for perioperative anaesthetic care and labour analgesia.
Anaesthetists may encounter parturients with a spectrum of anatomical and functional abnormalities secondary to spinal dysraphisms, which are among the most common neurodevelopmental anomalies. These range from surgically corrected open dysraphisms to previously undiagnosed closed dysraphisms. Both bony and neural structures may be abnormal. ⋯ Previous corrective de-tethering surgery frequently does not result in ascent of the conus and re-tethering may be asymptomatic. Ultrasound is not sufficiently validated at the point of care to reliably detect low-lying cords. Epidurals should be performed at anatomically normal levels but spread of local anaesthetic may be impaired by previous surgery.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Aug 2015
Comparative StudyScheduled acetaminophen with as-needed opioids compared to as-needed acetaminophen plus opioids for post-cesarean pain management.
Combination opioid-acetaminophen drugs are commonly used for pain management after cesarean delivery. The aim of this study was to determine if scheduled acetaminophen decreases opioid use compared to as-needed combination acetaminophen-opioid administration. ⋯ After cesarean delivery, scheduled acetaminophen results in decreased opioid use and more consistent acetaminophen intake compared to acetaminophen administered as needed via combination acetaminophen-opioid analgesics, without compromising analgesia.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Aug 2015
Anesthetic management of super-morbidly obese parturients for cesarean delivery with a double neuraxial catheter technique: a case series.
Parturients with super-morbid obesity, defined as body mass index greater than 50kg/m(2), represent a growing segment of patients who require anesthetic care for labor and delivery. Severe obesity and its comorbid conditions place the parturient and fetus at greater risk for pregnancy complications and cesarean delivery, as well as surgical and anesthetic complications. The surgical approach for cesarean delivery in these patients may require a supra-umbilical vertical midline incision due to a large pannus. ⋯ All patients had satisfactory postoperative analgesia with a thoracic epidural infusion. None suffered postoperative respiratory complications or postdural puncture headache. The use of a continuous lumbar spinal catheter and a low thoracic epidural provides several advantages in the anesthetic management of super-morbidly obese parturients for cesarean delivery.