International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 1994
Acid aspiration prophylaxis in 202 obstetric anaesthetic units in the UK.
A postal survey of obstetric anaesthetic units in the UK was conducted by questionnaire to gain information about current acid aspiration prophylaxis. Information regarding the delivery rate and the caesarean section rate under regional techniques was also requested. ⋯ Sodium citrate and the H(2) antagonist ranitidine remain the drugs most commonly used for acid aspiration prophylaxis. However, the number of departments carrying out routine prophylaxis for patients in active labour has fallen from 75% in 1988 to 57% in the current survey.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 1994
A survey of airway management during induction of general anaesthesia in obstetrics: are the recommendations in the confidential enquiries into maternal deaths being implemented?
Recommendations were made in the last two triennial reports on maternal deaths regarding airway management prior to obstetric general anaesthesia. Forty-four hospitals were surveyed to determine departmental practice. Our survey suggests that obstetric anaesthetic practice varies widely between departments and several of the recommendations in the above reports have yet to be implemented.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 1994
The association between foot temperature and asymmetrical epidural blockade.
This study was designed to explore the correlation between sensory block asymmetry and a disparity in foot temperature following epidural bupivacaine administration in labour. Sixty parturients requesting epidural analgesia had epidural catheters sited at L 3/4 while in the lateral position. A test dose was followed 5 min later by a main dose of 25-30 mg of plain bupivacaine. ⋯ Most staff were able to detect a foot temperature difference > 1 degrees C. Our findings indicate a clear association between sensory block asymmetry and the difference between the temperature of the feet. This difference can be detected simply by feeling the feet.
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A modification to a computer based system of audit, widely used in anaesthesia for general surgery, is described, which permits a more detailed analysis of obstetric anaesthetic workload. By adjusting entries, in the operation input field, further information can be collected automatically. ⋯ It identifies the total number of caesarean sections, including anaesthetic technique and whether an epidural catheter was, in any case, present. This modification may be applicable to other computerised audit systems.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 1994
An unusual case of sudden desaturation following induction of anaesthesia for caesarean section.
In the following case report an episode of sudden and rapid desaturation, occurring soon after induction of anaesthesia in a fit preoxygenated obstetric patient, resulted from the use of a Manley minute volume divider which had become purged with nitrous oxide.