Knowledge, acceptability and utilization of epidural analgesia in antenatal clinic attendees at UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital (UTH), Osogbo, Osun State

Labour pain is perceived as the most harrowing and agonizing event of a woman's life. Efforts at reducing the pain and making the event less stressful have predated modern obstetric practice. Epidural analgesia has provided effective pain relief in labour for over three decades. Delivery with epidural analgesia is routine for willing parturients in the developing world, however ignorance, cost as well as lack of qualified personnel has made this to be out of reach of the average Nigerian mother. The aim of this study was to assess level of awareness, acceptability, previous utilization and willingness to utilize epidural analgesia in labour following health education.Subjects/Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the antenatal clinic of UTH, Osogbo. Health education on events of labour and methods of analgesia available was provided to all antenatal clinic attendees between September 2021and March 2022, following which a semi­structured purpose designed, and self- administered questionnaire was administered to 415 of these women who consented to participate in this study. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 32.57± 4.42 years and mean parity of 1.73± 0.96. 70.8% reported that labour pain was severe. 41.7% were aware of epidural analgesia before the health talk. 3.6% of our subjects had utilized epidural in their last confinement. However, only 47.7% expressed a wish to utilize epidural analgesia in labour. Conclusion: Awareness of epidural analgesia in study population was passable at 40% however willingness to utilize it was less than average despite health talk and reassurance by their attending obstetric team.

Epidural Analgesia and Abnormal Coagulation in Patients Undergoing Minimal Invasive Repair of Pectus Excavatum

Background:Epidural analgesia (EA) is effective in patients undergoing minimal invasive repair of pectus excavatum(MIRPE) but is associated with major complications such as epidural hematomas. It is recommended to assess coagulation status in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy prior to EA, although no consensus exists in patients without a history of bleeding tendency or anticoagulant therapy. Thus, the aim of this paper was to assess 1) the prevalence of abnormal routine coagulation parameters, i.e., international normalized ratio (INR) and platelet count, and 2) the safety of EA in patients undergoing MIRPE. Methods: In this retrospective study, we identified 1,973 patients undergoing MIRPE at our center between 2001 and 2019. Complications related to EA were registered for all patients. Information on coagulation parameters was present in 929 patients. Patients with spontaneously elevated INR ?1.5 were referred for assessment of coagulation factor VII in order to assess the cause of the elevated INR. Results: Of 929 patients with coagulation information available, 18 patients had spontaneously elevated INR ?1.5 (1.9%). In patients with INR ?1.5, 12 patients underwent further assessment of factor VII, with all patients having a slightly reduced factor VII close to the lower reference range. The majority of the 1,973 patients undergoing MIRPE received EA (99.6%) with very low complication rates (0.2%) and no incidence of epidural hematomas. Conclusion: In patients undergoing MIRPE, coagulation screening prior to EA should not be mandatory as it revealed no clinically relevant consequences. EA is safe with very low complication rates

Anesthesia in a child with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita – how to proceed: A case report

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) consists of a heterogenous group of disorders characterized by non-progressive congenital joint contractures. They have tense skin, minimal subcutaneous tissue, and muscle mass. The anesthetic management of these children is complicated by associated congenital abnormalities, airway anomalies, congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypoplasia, and vertebral anomalies. We managed a case of AMC with bilateral contractures of both upper and lower limb and neck who presented for correction of bilateral equino varus.

Comparison of Epidural Analgesia with Ultrasound?Guided Bilateral Erector Spinae Plane Block in Aorto?Femoral Arterial Bypass Surgery

Objective:Thoracic Epidural Analgesia (TEA) was compared with ultrasound?guided bilateral erector spinae plane (ESP) block in aorto?femoral arterial bypass surgery for analgesic efficacy, hemodynamic effects, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Design: Prospective randomized. Setting: Tertiary care centre. Participants: Adult patients, who were scheduled for elective aorto?femoral arterial bypass surgery. Interventions: It was a prospective pilot study enrolling 20 adult patients who were randomized to group A (ESP block = 10) and group B (TEA = 10). Monitoring of heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pain assessment at rest and deep breathing using visual analog scale (VAS) were done till 48?h post?extubation. Rescue analgesic requirement, Incentive spirometry, oxygenation, duration of ventilation and stay in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were reported as outcome measures. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student T?test or Mann?Whitney U test. A value of P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: HR was lower in group B than group A at 1 and 2 h post? surgery and at 0.5, 16, 20, and 32 h post?extubation (P < 0.05). MAP were lower in group B than A at 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270 minutes and at 0 hour post?surgery and at 4 hours, every 4 hours till 32 hours post?extubation (P < 0.05). Intraoperative midazolam and fentanyl consumption, ventilatory hours, VAS at rest, incentive spirometry, oxygenation, and ICU stay were comparable between the two groups. VAS during deep breathing was more in group A than B at 0.5, 4 hours and every 4 hours till 44 hours post?extubation. The time to receive the first rescue analgesia was shorter in group A than B (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both ESP block and TEA provided comparable analgesia at rest. Further studies with larger sample size are required to evaluate whether ESP block could be an alternative to TEA in aorto?femoral arterial bypass surgery

Acupoint Injection Decreases Anesthetic Cosumption during Combined Spinal-Epidural and Patient-Controlled Epidural Labor Analgesia / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore if acupoint injection can improve analgesic effects or delivery outcomes in parturients who received combined spinal-epidural analgesia (CSEA) and patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) for labor analgesia.@*METHODS@#A total of 307 participants were prospectively collected from July 2017 to December 2019. The participants were randomized into the combined acupoint injection with CSEA plus PCEA group (AICP group, n=168) and CSEA plus PCEA group (CP group, n=139) for labor analgesia using a random number table. Both groups received CSEA plus PCEA at cervical dilation 3 cm during labor process, and parturients of the AICP group were implemented acupoint injection for which bilateral acupoint of Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected in addition. The primary outcome was Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, and the secondary outcomes were obstetric outcomes and requirement of anesthetics doses. Safety evaluations were performed after intervention.@*RESULTS@#The VAS scores were significantly lower in the AICP group than in the CP group at 10, 30, 60, and 120 min after labor analgesia (all P<0.05). The latent phase of the AICP group was shorter than that of the CP group (P<0.05). There were less additional anesthetics consumption, lower incidences of uterine atony, fever, pruritus and urinary retention in the AICP group than those in the CP group (all P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoint injection combined CSEA plus PCEA for labor analgesia can decrease the anesthetic consumption, improve analgesic quality, and reduce adverse reactions in the parturients. (Registration No. ChiMCTR-2000003120).

Anesthetic management in neurological disorders: is combined spinal-epidural a suitable option? Case report / Manejo anestésico en trastornos neurológicos: ¿es la anestesia espinal-epidural una alternativa apropiada? Reporte de caso

Abstract Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is a rare disease with multi-systemic involvement, predominantly neurological. Little evidence exists about the anesthetic management of patients with this disorder, particularly in pregnant women. This article discusses a case of a patient with TSC admitted to our hospital for the delivery of a twin gestation. Twenty-four hours after surgery, the patient presented left-side facial-brachial hypoesthesia and headache. A brain CT revealed a right frontal cortical bleeding tumor, which was diagnosed as glioblastoma multiforme. The patient was discharged 15 days after admission and a neurosurgical approach was suggested.

Resumen La esclerosis tuberosa es una enfermedad poco frecuente asociada con compromiso multisistémico, principalmente neurológico. Es poca la evidencia sobre el manejo anestésico de los pacientes con este trastorno, en particular las mujeres embarazadas. En este artículo presentamos el caso de una paciente con esclerosis tuberosa ingresada en nuestro hospital para el parto de una gestación gemelar. Veinticuatro horas después de la cirugía, la paciente presentó hipoestesia facial y braquial izquierda y cefalea. La tomografía cerebral mostró un tumor cortical sangrante en el lóbulo frontal derecho, diagnosticado como glioblastoma multiforme. La paciente fue dada de alta 15 días después de su ingreso y, con recomendación de manejo por neurocirugía.

Esofagectomía minimamente invasiva / Minimally invasive esophagectomy

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive esophagectomy aims to reduce complications compared to open esophagectomy. In this report of the first patient undergoing this procedure at Hospital Pasteur, we highlight the importance of multidisciplinary management, and the main anesthesiological objectives. OBJECTIVE: To present the case report highlighting the anesthetic management, together with the bibliographic review carried out in order to update the anesthetic action protocols, with the main objective of reducing the appearance of perioperative complications. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Bibliographic search in PubMed bibliographic databases. Initially, 67 articles were obtained, selecting 20 considered relevant by the authors. CLINICAL CASE: It was a 46-year-old patient coordinated for esophagectomy for squamous neoplasm. Rapid sequence induction, selective endobronchial intubation and anesthetic maintenance with Isoflurane and epidural analgesia were performed. The hydroelectric replacement was restricti- ve. The surgical technique was performed in 3 stages: thoracic time by thoracoscopy; a second laparoscopic abdominal stage and a third stage for left cervicotomy. Extubation was carried out in the operating room with transfer to the ICU where she remained for 6 days to manage analgesia and due to the presence of a mild infectious complication, with good subsequent evolution. CONCLUSION: The use of perioperative multidisciplinary management protocols has fundamental importance as a strategy aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality. Advances in surgical technique added to anesthetic management constitute strategies that aim to reduce perioperative complications.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La esofagectomía minimamente invasiva tiene como objetivo disminuir las complicaciones en comparación con la esofagectomía abierta. En este reporte del primer paciente sometido a este procedimiento en el Hospital Pasteur destacamos la importancia del manejo multidisciplinario, y los principales objetivos anestesiológicos. OBJETIVO: Presentar el reporte de caso destacando el manejo anestésico, junto con la revisión bibliográfica realizada en vistas a la actualización de protocolos de actuación anestésica, con objetivo principal de disminuir la aparición de complicaciones perioperatorias. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Búsqueda bibliográfica en las bases bibliográficas PubMed. Inicialmente se obtuvieron 67 artículos, seleccionando 20 considerados relevantes por los autores. CASO CLÍNICO: Se trató de una paciente de 46 años coordinada para esofagectomía por neoplasma epidermoide. Se realizó inducción en secuencia rápida, intubación endobronquial selectiva y mantenimiento anestésico con Isofluorano y analgesia peridural. La reposición hidroelectrolítica fue restrictiva. La técnica quirúrgica se realizó en 3 tiempos: tiempo torácico por toracoscopía; un segundo tiempo abdominal laparoscópico y un tercer tiempo para cervicotomía izquierda. La extubación se realizó en sala de operaciones con traslado a CTI donde permaneció por 6 días para manejo de la analgesia y por presencia de complicación infecciosa leve, con buena evolución posterior. CONCLUSIÓN: Resulta de fundamental importancia el uso de protocolos de manejo multidisciplinario perioperatorio como estrategia destinada a disminuir la morbimortalidad. Los avances en cuanto a la técnica quirúrgica sumado al manejo anestésico constituyen estrategias que apuntan a disminuir las complicaciones perioperatorias.

Meningitis tras técnica combinada raquídea-epidural para analgesia del parto: reporte de un caso / Case report of meningitis after combined spinal-epidural analgesia for labor

La meningitis pospunción es una complicación importante y poco frecuente de la anestesia neuroaxial. Describimos el caso de una paciente que ingresa para inducción del parto. Se realiza técnica espinal-epidural para analgesia del parto. Cursando 48 h de puerperio instala cefalea intensa, fotofobia y fiebre. No focalidad neurológica. Sin rigidez de nuca. Al examen, restos cavitarios que impresionan fétidos. Se plantea endometritis puerperal iniciando tratamiento antibiótico. Dado la persistencia del cuadro clínico se plantea punción lumbar para confirmación diagnóstica mediante análisis de líquido cefalorraquídeo; siendo éste turbio, por lo cual ingresa a cuidados intensivos con diagnóstico de meningitis aguda. Bacterióloga informa a los 10 días que el cultivo desarrolla estreptococo mitis oralis. La importancia esta dada porque la meningitis puede ser potencialmente devastadora si no se realiza un diagnóstico y tratamiento tempranos, existiendo medidas que se pueden adoptar para prevenir esta complicación.

Post-puncture meningitis is an important and rare complication of neuraxial anesthesia. We describe case of patient who is admitted for induction of labor. A spinal-epidural technique is performed for labor analgesia. During 48 hours of puerperium, she installed intense headache, photophobia and fever. No neurological focus. No stiff neck. On physical exam, cavitary remains that appear fetid. Puerperal endometritis arises starting antibiotic treatment. Given the persistence of the clinical picture, lumbar puncture is considered for diagnostic confirmation by analysis of cerebrospinal fluid; This being cloudy, for which he was admitted to Intensive Care with a diagnosis of acute meningitis. Bacteriologist reports 10 days later develops streptococcus mitis oralis. The importance is given because meningitis can be potentially devastating if early diagnosis and treatment is not performed, and there are measures that can be taken to prevent this complication.

A Study of the Awareness and Acceptabilty of Labour Epidural Analgesia amongst Antenatal Clinic Attendees in One Tertiary Hospital

Background: The benefits of Pain relief to parturientsin labour cannot be over-emphasized. However, in low middle income countries accessibility, availability and affordability these services are not optimum. This has made it near impossible for women in labour to benefit from epidural analgesia.Aim: This study was aimed to assess the knowledge of availability and level of acceptance of labour analgesia amongst antenatal clinic attendees at the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).Methods: The present observational study was conducted after informed consent was given by antenatal clinic attendees. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS Version 25.Results: Response from 200 women with mean ± SD age and gestational age of 31.49 ± 4.89 years and 34.25 ± 4.75 weeks respectively. The modal Parity was 1. 56; while 106/200 (53%) were aware of pain relief in labour, 94/200 (47%) had no knowledge of pain relief in labour. Twenty eight (28/106) constituting 26.42% had knowledge of the pharmacological methods while 78 (73.59%) had non-specific ideas about pain relief in labour. Twenty six (26/28) (92.86%) of the respondents will accept epidural analgesia in labour.Conclusion: Knowledge of availability and acceptance of labour analgesia was poor. Lack of information is a major contributor for non-acceptance of labour analgesia. The inclusion and dissemination of information about labour analgesia by anaesthetists and obstetricians during antenatal classes would increase the knowledge about its availability and wide acceptance to these parturients

A Comparative Study of Efficacy of Epidural Ropivacaine (0.2%) and Bupivacaine (0.125%) with Fentanyl (2 mueg/mL) for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Joint Replacement Surgeries

Epidural analgesia is an important component of the multimodal approach to pain management. It is used effectively for postoperative pain management following joint replacement surgeries. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the post-operative analgesic efficacy of epidural Ropivacaine (0.2%) – Fentanyl (2 µg/mL) and epidural Bupivacaine (0.125%) - Fentanyl (2 µg/mL) on patients undergoing joint replacement surgeries.METHODS60 adult patients of ASAPS grade I or II between ages 25 - 65 years of either sex undergoing elective joint replacement surgeries were randomly allocated to two groups: Group A (ropivacaine group) receiving ropivacaine 0.2% (40 mL) + fentanyl (2 µg/mL) and Group B (bupivacaine group) receiving bupivacaine 0.125% (40 mL) + fentanyl (2 µg/mL).RESULTSThe immediate post-operative VAS scores for pain at rest and on touch of patients in the two groups were close to no-pain status. Mean VAS scores at rest showed an incremental trend with passage of time. At 24 hour postoperative interval, mean VAS score at rest was 3.13 ± 0.43 in group A and 3.10 ± 0.40 in group B while mean VAS score on touch was 3.20 ± 0.55 in group A and 3.40 ± 0.68 in group B. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the two groups at any of the follow-up intervals. Thus, as far as analgesic effect of the two drugs was concerned, both the drugs have comparable efficacy in terms of mean VAS scores. In the present study, median VAS scores peaked at 6-hour postoperative interval and remained at same level till the end of study.CONCLUSIONSIn our study, both ropivacaine (0.2%) and bupivacaine (0.125%) with fentanyl (2 µg/mL) combinations showed similar efficacy in postoperative pain management with almost stable hemodynamic profile. Moreover, the ropivacaine group gives better motor blockade and lower overall rescue analgesic needs.

Effect of epidural analgesia on the duration of labour and pains: a comparative study

Background: Epidural analgesia is regional anaesthesia that blocks pain in a particular region of the body. The use of Epidural Analgesia (EA) in labor is widespread in modern labor ward practice, and its benefits in terms of pain relief are well-recognized. Objective of this study was to study the effect of epidural analgesia on the duration of labour and pains.Methods: The present study was conducted on 60 women in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai during a period from October 2014 to January 2017. The women requesting EA were assigned as the study group (Group A - 30 cases) and women not receiving EA were included in the control group (Group B - 30 cases).Results: The duration of active phase of first and second stage of labour was found to be prolonged in patients who received EA as compared to control group. An increase in number of caesarean sections and requirement of oxytocin augmentation was found to be more in Group A as compared to Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in Apgar score of newborns at 1 min and 5 min in both the groups. The patients demanding epidural drug had better pain relief during labour. In Group A, 17% of patients and in Group B, 7% of patients had nausea and vomiting. Other side effects were minimal.Conclusions: Epidural analgesia is not a totally free of disadvantages, it is the most effective mode of pain relief available compared with other techniques. The addition of patient-controlled epidural analgesia and innovations using new technologies enhance patient satisfaction.

Foetomaternal Outcome of Labour with Epidural Analgesia - Prospective, Comparative and Interventional Study

Labour is an extremely painful process. Labour pain can have deleterious effects on the mother, on the foetus and on the labour outcome. Among the current methods of obstetric analgesia, regional analgesia (the most widespread technique being epidural analgesia) offers the best effectiveness/safety ratio. The increased availability of epidural analgesia and the favourable experiences of women who have had painless labour with epidural block have reshaped the expectations of pregnant women entering labour. Compared with other forms of pain relief, epidural analgesia is associated with the highest level of maternal satisfaction. Taking into consideration this aspect, a study was performed in a tertiary care center over a period of 18 months.METHODS160 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups namely Group A and Group B. Group A was administered epidural analgesia while Group B was offered other analgesic agents (inj. tramadol hydrochloride) after obtaining well informed consent. Pain compliance is marked over VAS at this point of time. Once the effect of epidural starts waning off, top up dosages are administered by anaesthesiologists. Increments or derangements in pain compliance are noted timely. Any maternal side effects such as headache, hypotension, motor paralysis etc. are noted. Duration of first and second stage of labour is noted with the help of partogram. In the end, mode of delivery, indication of instrumental delivery/caesarean section, neonatal outcome in terms of APGAR scores were noted.RESULTSProlongation of first and second stage of labour, increase in the rate of instrumental/caesarean delivery was not statistically significant between both the groups. (p>0.05). p Value calculated using unpaired t test (p= 0.5116). Maternal requests for caesarean section were significantly higher in control group compared to epidural group (p<0.05). This may be due to non/less efficacy of other analgesic drugs than epidural analgesics. The difference in VAS score between both the study groups was statistically significant (p<0.001) indicating that pain was significantly less in epidural group.CONCLUSIONSEpidural analgesia provides excellent labour analgesia compared to other agents with no significant prolongation of first and second stage of labour or mode of delivery. Study also shows that there is no significant rise in the number of instrumental or caesarean deliveries due to epidural analgesia. There are no serious maternal or foetal side effects of the epidural analgesia. Hence, it can be safely recommended in labour. The analgesic effect can be maintained as long as needed and even after delivery to relieve postoperative pain.

Study of morphine with ropivacaine and ropivacaine alone for caudal epidural analgesia in children

Background: Caudal epidural analgesia is one of the most popular and commonly performed regional blocks in pediatric anesthesia. It is reliable and safe technique that can be used with general anesthesia for intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. The aim of this research is to study the effect of morphine (15 µg/kg) with ropivacaine (0.2%) and ropivacaine (0.2%) alone through caudal epidural route on duration of analgesia in children.Methods: The study was performed on 60 ASA grade I and II patients, aged 1 to 7 years scheduled for elective infraumbilical surgeries. After induction of general anesthesia, caudal epidural block was performed. Each group consisted of 30 pediatric patients: group I-caudal epidural 0.2% ropivacaine (1 ml/kg) and group II- caudal epidural 0.2% ropivacaine (1 ml/kg) with morphine 15 µg/kg. Intra-operatively heart rate, blood pressure was recorded at pre-induction, immediately after induction, 5 minutes after administration of caudal block and thereafter every 10 minutes till the completion of surgery. Postoperative heart rate, blood pressure, pain score was assessed periodically till 24th hour.Results: The duration of analgesia was more in group II (7.30±1.78 hour) in comparison to group I (3.93±0.83 hour). The fall in mean arterial pressure and heart rate were not significant in group II as compared to group I.Conclusions: Addition of low dose morphine to ropivacaine resulted in prolonging the duration of analgesia by almost double the duration as compared to ropivacaine alone.

Epidural analgesia during labour: its influences on pain relief, progress of labour, mode of delivery, maternal and foetal

Background: Today, the availability of regional anaesthesia for labour is considered a reflection of standard obstetric care. This study is to be conducted in a tertiary care centre with all facilities available for proposed end of proving that epidural analgesia is a safe and effective method for both parturient and the foetus in abolishing pain during labour.Methods: A total of 60 parturients were studied. they were randomly divided into two groups Group 1 includes 30 parturients. In this group parturient received epidural analgesia. The loading dose consisted of 10 ml of Bupivacaine 0.1% and Fentanyl 0.0002% (20 mcg). The top up doses were 10 ml of 0.1% Bupivacaine and Fentanyl 0.0002%, administered whenever the parturient complained of pain. When parturients enters into second stage a further 12-15 ml was injected with parturient in sitting position or semi-sitting position. Group 2 - (control group) Includes 30 parturients. In this group parturient was monitored without any analgesia.Results: This prospective study was done to assess the effect of epidural analgesia on the progress of labour and its outcome, to evaluate its efficacy as an analgesic technique and to study the maternal and fetal outcome. The total number of 60 parturients were selected and randomly categorized into two groups. CASE-Those who received epidural analgesia, CONTROL-Those who did not receive any analgesia.Conclusions: Epidural analgesia provides a versatile method of administering effective and satisfactory pain relief to parturient women. The technique should not be considered as a single entity, because the type and the dose of epidural medication can be altered as needed.

Postsurgical Analgesic Efficacy of Epidural Nalbuphine in Lower Abdominal Surgeries

Epidural analgesia has been the gold standard, preferred technique for providing postoperative analgesia in lower abdominal, lower limb, pelvic and vascular surgeries. Combination of local anaesthetic agents when used along with opioids, as an adjuvant in epidural analgesia, was found to be effective and synergistic. Ropivacaine is associated with less central nervous system toxicity and cardiotoxicity, and produces less motor blockade. Nalbuphine is an opioid with mixed kappa (κ) agonist and mu (µ) antagonistic properties, when mixed with other opioids, attenuates the µ opioid effect and enhances the κ opioid effect. We wanted to compare the post-surgical analgesic efficacy of epidural nalbuphine (10 mg) when added as an adjuvant to epidural ropivacaine (0.2%-9 ml) in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries. Primary objective was to compare the duration of postoperative analgesia and number of rescue analgesics required in 24 hours. Secondary objectives were to compare postoperative haemodynamic variation, quality of analgesia, Visual Analogue Score and side effects if any in both the groups.METHODSIt was prospective observational study conducted after obtaining ethical committee clearance. Sixty patients of ASA class I & II, fulfilling inclusion criteria posted for elective lower abdominal surgeries preferably abdominal hysterectomies divided into two groups, each comprising of 30 patients; group R- Ropivacaine- 0.2% - 9 ml with 1 ml normal saline and group R+N - 0.2%- 9 ml with nalbuphine 1 ml - 10 mg, under spinal anaesthesia with epidural catheter insertion. Parameters like duration of analgesia, number of rescue analgesia, quality of analgesia by patient rated quality of pain management, haemodynamic variation was assessed. Assessment of pain was done by VAS scale, side effects like sedation was assessed by modified Ramsay sedation scale.RESULTSNo demographic variation was found in any group. Mean duration of analgesia was found more in group R+N. Number of rescue analgesia was reduced in group R+N with improved quality of analgesia which was statistically significant. Mean HR was significant in group R+N. No change was noted in SBP, RR, SpO2 in either group. DBP and MAP showed statistically significant difference at 30, 60 min and 15, 30, 60 min respectively. None of the patients in either group had sedation; one episode of vomiting was noted in group R+N with statistically non-significant results.

Parturient satisfaction with labour epidural and factors affecting satisfaction scores: experiences from a tertiary centre in Southern India

Background: Labour analgesia though widely practised is still not routinely administered to all parturients in India. We conducted this historical observational cross-sectional study to assess parturient knowledge and factors affecting satisfaction in those who received epidural labour analgesia; aiming at improving the services.Methods: All parturients requesting epidural labour analgesia have the catheter sited and the drug administered as per institutional protocols. A feedback form is given to these parturients, postnatally. The form consists of questions regarding her knowledge of and experience with labour analgesia, including her satisfaction score on a scale of 0 to 10. Author collected these forms and analyzed them along with information from the labour epidural register and the discharge summary.Results: The mean satisfaction score was 7.1 (SD- 2.28). 46 parturients (31.08%) had ‘low satisfaction’ (<7 score) and 102 parturients (68.9%) had ‘high satisfaction’ (≥7 score). The timing of initiation of epidural analgesia within the parturients expectations and adequate analgesia were two factors that were found to affect satisfaction scores, with statistically significant values (p=0.002 and p=0.006 respectively). Those with a very short or very long duration of labour analgesia, were more likely to give less satisfaction scores (p=0.023 and p=0.002). Only 30% of parturients had heard of labour analgesia in the past.Conclusions: In this setting good analgesia and receiving it on time are of utmost importance in those receiving epidural labor analgesia, emphasising the need for adequate analgesia and prompt initiation of the same.

Influence of different rates of programmed intermttent epidural administration in labor analgesia in lying-in women / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To explore the effect of enhancing the rate of programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) on the labor analgesia and the dosage of ropivacaine supplement in the lying-in women, and to provide the basis for studing labor analgesia. Methods: One hundred and twenty-six women with a singleton pregnancy received labor analgesia with PIEB method and were randonly divided into low-rate group (n=60) and high-rate group (n= 66). Epidural infusion was given the initial loading dose of 10 mL (0.09 % ropivacaine+0.4 mg · L-1 sufentanil), followed by 100 mL pulse injection pump (0.09 % ropivacaine + 0.4 mg · L-1 sufentanil). Every 60 min, intermittent bolus of 10 mL was given; the patient were administered with the rates of 100 mL · L-1 (low-rate group) or 200 mL · L-1 (high-rate group). The drug administration time of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) was set as 5 mL, and the locking time was set as 30 min. The initial pain visual analog scale (VAS) score, duration of labor, delivery mode, supplementary amount and frequency of ropivacaine, first supplementary time of ropivacaine, a mount of PCEA pump, maternal satisfaction score, maximum sensory block level, as well as the incidence of adverse events, such as nausea and vomiting, hypotension, respiratory depression and fever of the lying-in women in the analgesia period were recorded. Results: The initial pain VAS scores, duration of labor, natural delivery rates, assisted vaginal delivery rates and cesarean section rates of the patients in two groups had no significant differences (P> 0.05). There were no significant differences in the amount and frequency of supplementary, the first supplement time of ropivacaine, the amount of PCEA pump between two groups (P> 0.05). The satisfaction scores of the lying-in women in two groups had no significantly difference (P<0.05). The highest analgesia level in two groups was T7-T8, and no adverse events, such as nausea and vomiting, hypotension, respiratory depression and fever, were observed in all the lying-in women. Conclusion: Compared with low-rate PIEB labor analgesia, the effect of labor analgesia, times of need for supplemental analgesia and the consumption of ropivacaine per hour are not improved by high-rate PIEB.

Lumbar transforaminal epidural block for treatment of low back pain with radicular pain / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the efficacy of lumbar transforaminal epidural block (LTEB) for treatment of low back pain with radicular pain.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 78 patients with low back pain and radicular pain admitted to the Department of Orthopedics of Beijing Chuiyangliu Hospital from March, 2017 to April, 2019. Thirty-three of the patients received treatment with LTEB (LTEB group), and 45 received comprehensive conservative treatment including traction, massage, acupuncture and physiotherapy (control group). The demographic and clinical data of the two groups were compared. The patients were followed up for 3 to 24 months, and numerical rating scale (NRS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores of the patients were evaluated before the treatment and at 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months after discharge to assess the efficacy of the treatment.@*RESULTS@#The mean operation time of LTEB was 25.7 7.5 min (15-45 min). After the operation, 5 patients developed weakness of the lower limbs but all recovered within 24-72 h. The patients receiving LTEB all showed significantly decreased NRS scores for low back and radicular pain and ODI scores after the operation (@*CONCLUSIONS@#As a minimally invasive approach, LTEB is effective for treatment of low back pain with radicular pain and can produce good short-term effects of pain relief and functional improvement.

Effectiveness of pre-emptive thoracic epidural analgesia for acute post thoracotomy pain relief: a randomised blinded study

Background: Thoracotomy is one of the most damaging surgical insults on respiratory mechanics and management of post-thoracotomy pain is a challenge. This study was conducted to compare intensity of postoperative pain, measured by VAS, in patients receiving Pre-emptive TEA compared to patients receiving epidural analgesia during surgical closure.Method: Group A comprised of patients receiving Pre-emptive TEA with 0.1%Ropivacaine and 2 μg/ml fentanyl, 20 minutes before incision. Group B comprised of patients receiving the same drug, during surgical closure.Results: Demographic profile was comparable between both groups. Both groups offered good analgesia, but pre-emptive group took an upper hand upto4th postoperative hour (p<0.05), both at rest and coughing. Beyond 4thhour, analgesic efficacy of both groups was comparable.Conclusion: Pre-emptive technique offered better analgesia over the postoperative technique up to 4th postoperative hour, both at rest and coughing.

Recomendaciones en la analgesia para cirugía abdominal abierta / Recommendations in analgesia for open abdominal surgery

Resumen: La analgesia postoperatoria es uno de los componentes básicos en la recuperación funcional tras una intervención quirúrgica. El bloqueo de los estímulos nociceptivos contribuye a disminuir la respuesta al estrés quirúrgico, acelerando la rehabilitación y disminuyendo la incidencia de dolor crónico postoperatorio. Al bloquear las vías de conducción del dolor se limita la respuesta neuroendocrina, metabólica, inflamatoria e inmunitaria al estrés quirúrgico. La analgesia epidural sigue siendo el estándar de referencia en la cirugía abierta abdominal, en cuanto a la calidad de la analgesia dinámica y a la disminución de los tiempos de extubación, de ventilación mecánica y de las complicaciones respiratorias, con el potencial de reducir las tasas de eventos adversos relacionados (dolor no controlado, bloqueo motor y retención urinaria). La analgesia multimodal, basada en un concepto amplio de combinación de analgésicos, fármacos coadyuvantes y técnicas analgésicas, se presenta como una alternativa segura y eficaz (para ver el artículo completo visite http://www.painoutmexico.com).

Abstract: Postoperative analgesia is one of the basic components in functional recovery after surgical intervention. The blocking of nociceptive stimulus contributes to decrease the response to surgical stress, accelerating rehabilitation and decreasing the incidence of chronic postoperative pain. By blocking the pain conduction pathways, the neuroendocrine, metabolic, inflammatory and immune response to surgical stress is limited. Epidural analgesia continues to be the reference standard in open abdominal surgery, in terms of the quality of dynamic analgesia and the reduction of extubation times, mechanical ventilation and respiratory complications, with the potential to reduce the rates of related adverse events (uncontrolled pain, motor blockage and urinary retention). Multimodal analgesia, based on a broad concept of combination of analgesics, adjuvant drugs and analgesic techniques, is presented as a safe and effective alternative (full version visithttp://www.painoutmexico.com ) .