Annales de l'anesthésiologie française
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In order that continous epidural anaesthesia may be given safely in an obstetric centre, the permanent presence of an anaesthetist is necessary. Obstetricians and midwives must be familiar with the management of labour using this method and team spirit involving continous cooperation between the anaesthetist, obstetrician and midwives is essential. Training related to epidural anaesthesia is necessary for the members of the obsteric centre, as well as education of the patients.
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In 35 orthopaedic surgery patients (33 adults and 2 children), anaesthesia was obtained using an association of etomidate and fentanyl. Induction was obtained by injection from a syringe of a mixture of etomidate and fentanyl in an average dose of 21 mg for etomidate and 0,08 mg for fentanyl. ⋯ The mixture used for both induction and maintenance contained 1.3 mg of etomidate and 5 mg of fentanyl per ml. The results, value, indications and contraindications of this technique are described.
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The authors propose a pathogenic classification of perforations of the dura mater occurring during continuous epidural anaesthesia: according to the flow through the communication with the subarochnoid space. Two clinical forms of anaesthesia affecting the cord itself may be distinguished on this basis, one frequent and of immediate onset, diagnosed by the "test dose" and the other rare, of delayed onset, where this safety measure does not suffice. ⋯ In the case of the latter, it show either a more or less typical appearance of radicolography only or, more rarely, a picture which combines opacification of the epidural space with the subarachnoid passage of the contrast medium. This "mixed" appearance, although rare, should be known since it makes it possible to prevent delayed total spinal anaesthesia.