International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2017
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyBacterial contamination of saline used for epidural procedures in an obstetric setting: a randomised comparison of two drawing-up techniques.
There is little evidence to inform practice regarding the optimum aseptic technique of drawing up saline for epidural insertion. Our regional practice is to draw up saline from a non-sterile packaged plastic ampoule, therefore introducing the risk of bacterial contamination. Usually, the anaesthetist draws up saline directly from the vial held by an assistant using a needle (needle technique). Alternatively, the saline vial is emptied onto a sterile tray by an assistant and then drawn up by the anaesthetist (tray technique). We hypothesised that the latter will lead to an increase in the number of contaminated saline samples as they are exposed to the environment. ⋯ The difference in the saline contamination rate between the two techniques did not reach statistical significance. As bacterial contamination occurred with both techniques, we recommend using sterile saline pre-packaged in the epidural tray or individually wrapped sterile glass saline ampoules.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Dec 2016
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyDose-response of intrathecal morphine when administered with intravenous ketorolac for post-cesarean analgesia: a two-center, prospective, randomized, blinded trial.
The appropriate dose of intrathecal morphine for post-cesarean analgesia is unclear. With the inclusion of routine non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the required dose of morphine may be significantly less than the 200-300μg common a decade ago. We performed a two-center, prospective, randomized, blinded trial comparing three doses of intrathecal morphine, combined with routine intravenous ketorolac, in 144 healthy women undergoing elective cesarean delivery. ⋯ The dose-response relationship of intrathecal morphine for multimodal post-cesarean analgesia suggests that 50μg produces analgesia similar to that produced by either 100μg or 150μg.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Dec 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialUltrasound to identify the lumbar space in women with impalpable bony landmarks presenting for elective caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia: a randomised trial.
Ultrasound can facilitate neuraxial blockade in patients with poorly defined anatomical surface landmarks, but there are no studies comparing an ultrasound-guided technique with landmark palpation for spinal anaesthesia. The objective of this study was to compare pre-procedural lumbar ultrasonography with landmark palpation to locate the needle insertion point in women with impalpable lumbar spinous processes presenting for caesarean delivery. ⋯ The use of ultrasonography to locate the needle insertion point reduced the number of needle passes in women with impalpable lumbar spinous processes undergoing elective caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia. Its use did not prolong overall procedural time.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Aug 2016
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA randomized controlled trial comparing Ametop™ with placebo for reducing pain associated with local anesthetic skin infiltration before neuraxial anesthesia in parturients.
Between 10-22% of the general population experience needle phobia. Needle phobic parturients are at increased risk of adverse outcomes. We assessed the efficacy of topical Ametop™ (tetracaine 4%) gel in reducing the pain associated with local anesthetic skin infiltration before neuraxial block in non-laboring women. ⋯ The mean numeric pain score in the Ametop™ group was 33% lower compared to the placebo group. Topical Ametop™ gel applied at least 20min before local anesthetic infiltration of the skin prior to neuraxial block in elective cesarean delivery may be a useful adjunct in needle phobic women.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Aug 2016
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyRandomized double-blind comparison of ephedrine and phenylephrine for management of post-spinal hypotension in potential fetal compromise.
Most studies comparing phenylephrine and ephedrine have been conducted during elective caesarean sections in healthy mothers with no fetal compromise. The effect of vasopressors on fetal outcome may differ between healthy and compromised fetuses. There has been little research into the effect of phenylephrine and ephedrine, when used for management of post-spinal hypotension in the presence of potential fetal compromise. ⋯ Both phenylephrine 100μg and ephedrine 8mg boluses are equally efficacious when treating post-spinal hypotension in the presence of potential fetal compromise. However, phenylephrine may be a better choice in the presence of maternal tachycardia.