Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Sep 2001
Review[Complications related to epidural catheter in caesarean delivery].
A review of complications related to epidural catheters in caesarean delivery is presented. Catheters for prolongation of nerve blocks were first used in 1940s. Thereafter, there has been steady development in the design and plastic material technology of the different catheters. ⋯ Broken parts of the catheters should be left as a rule within the spinal space. Test dose should be always done for continuous epidural anaesthesia. Early diagnosis and prompt appropriate treatment will usually lead to complete resolution of the neurological deficit even in cases of epidural haematoma or abscess.
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The techniques of continuous peripheral blockades have shown to be efficient in postoperative pain control, in the various orthopaedic procedures of the limbs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the existing data about the use of a continuous blockade of the lumbar plexus or femoral nerve, together with the indications for technique and therapy. ⋯ The use of continuous blockades of the lumbar plexus or femoral nerve shows to be an important and effective instrument not only in terms of positive effects on postoperative pain control, but also in terms of relevant advantages concerning final outcome after surgery. Nevertheless these techniques should not be considered as the only approach to postoperative pain in the orthopaedic patient, but have to be included in a global, multidisciplinary and multimodal approach.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Sep 2001
Review Comparative Study[Spinal or epidural anaesthesia for caesarean section? Compared opinions].
Regional anaesthesia during caesarean section reduces mortality directly related to anaesthesia. Epidural anaesthesia is a good choice when an epidural anaesthesia was performed during labor. General anaesthesia is recommended only for emergency caesarean section and when regional anaesthesia is contraindicated. ⋯ Epidural opiates have a lower incidence of maddening side effects compared with spinal opiates and allow better maternal satisfaction as regard postoperative analgesia. In accordance with ASA guidelines there are no decisive reasons in order to choice spinal or epidural block: actually literature is unable to give a definitive suggestion about complications and advantages. The choice would be take place weighing up maternal wishes, fetal factors (elective versus urgent caesarean section) and the preferences of the anesthesiologist.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Sep 2001
Review[Prehydratation and anaesthesia in obstetrics: state of the art].
All epidural or spinal techniques using local anaesthetics causes some degree of sympathetic blockade resulting in peripheral vasodilatation and possibly hypotension or reduction in cardiac output. In the practical clinic, administration of fluids intravenously prior spinal and epidural anaesthesia is required to prevent maternal hypotension and fetal hypoxia. We evaluated in this review the efficacy of volume preloading on the incidence of hypotension after spinal or epidural anaesthesia for caesarean delivery. ⋯ Implications. We performed a review to determine whether fluid loading reduced the incidence of low blood pressure after spinal or epidural anaesthesia for caesarean delivery. Although no technique totally eliminates the occurrence of hypotension, colloid administration (starch or gelatin containing fluids) was the most effective.
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Over the past few years, increasing emphasis has been placed on the need to improve the management of acute pain. Despite a growing trend in acute pain management, many difficulties are still present for the treatment of postoperative pain. Loco-regional techniques together with an effective pain management should accelerate rehabilitation, decrease risk of postoperative complications and speed return to normal activities. ⋯ Rofecoxib showed a reduction of morphine consuming after spinal fusion and has been admitted by FDA for the treatment of post operative pain. Newer methods of pain relief, as patient controlled analgesia (PCA), can provide excellent and safe pain relief. When high-tech options such as PCA are used, patients need a management by an anesthesiologist-based acute pain service (APS), allowing a better pain relief with less side effects compared to patients supervised by less experienced medical staff.