Incidence of conversion to general anaesthesia and need for intravenous supplementation in parturients undergoing caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia: A retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Conversion from spinal anaesthesia to general anaesthesia (GA) was shown to be associated with more complications. It has been postulated that spinal injection of a low dose of local anaesthetic is a risk factor. We aimed to discover the rate of conversion from spinal anaesthesia to GA in women who received at least 10 mg heavy bupivacaine and opioids and assess its risk factors. METHODS: All women that underwent spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2020 were included in this analysis. Spinal anaesthesia was performed according to department protocol using heavy bupivacaine 0.5% 10-13 mg, fentanyl 20 µg, and morphine 0.1 mg. We examined rate of conversion from spinal anaesthesia to GA and rate of need for analgesia/sedation. RESULTS: There were 1.7% of women that required conversion to GA. Bupivacaine dose (OR 0.54 [95% CI 0.38 to 0.75], p < 0.001), surgery time (OR 1.03 [95% CI 1.02 to 1.04], p < 0.001), emergency caesarean section (OR 1.06 [95% CI 1.16 to 3.76], p = 0.015), and postpartum haemorrhage (OR 5.96 [95% CI 1.09 to 25.18], p = 0.025) were independent predictors of need for conversion to GA. Of the women who had CS under spinal anaesthesia, 4.1% of parturients required intraoperative analgesics/sedatives and 9.1% required anxiolysis. CONCLUSIONS: A small proportion of women required conversion to GA. This conversion occurred especially with emergency caesarean section and when low spinal bupivacaine doses were used.

Association of Maternal Hyperuricemia with Post-Spinal Hypotension in Pre-Eclamptic Parturients Undergoing Emergency Cesarean Delivery: a Prospective Observational Study.

Pre-eclampsia is commonly associated with higher serum uric acid levels, which is known to increase vascular tone. A previous retrospective study established a positive correlation between raised serum uric acid levels and reduced incidence of post-spinal hypotension. However, until date, this correlation has not been prospectively evaluated in exclusively pre-eclamptic women. Pre-eclamptic parturients undergoing emergency cesarean delivery under subarachnoid block were included. Sample for measuring serum uric acid level was obtained prior to shifting patients for cesarean delivery. Following spinal anesthesia, we recorded episodes of hypotension (fall of mean arterial pressure more than 20% from baseline values), use of vasopressors, and intraoperative blood loss. Our primary objective was to study the association between maternal hyperuricemia and incidence of post-spinal hypotension. Our secondary objectives included amount of vasopressors administered to maintain targeted mean arterial pressure before delivery of the baby, intraoperative blood loss, and immediate neonatal outcome. A total of 95% parturients had hyperuricemia, with mean serum uric acid level being 6.94 ± 0.9 mg/dl. Incidence of post-spinal hypotension was significantly lower in women who had hyperuricemia as compared with those with normal serum uric acid levels (21% vs 75%; p = 0.015). Mean serum uric acid levels were significantly high (p = 0.001) in patients not requiring any vasopressors (7.2 ± 1.2 mg/dl) than in those requiring moderate (5.70 ± 0.79 mg/dl) to high dose (5.75 ± 0.77 mg/dl) of vasopressors. There is a high incidence of hyperuricemia in pre-eclamptic parturients. In these patients, elevated serum uric acid levels is associated with lower incidence of post-spinal hypotension and reduced need of vasopressors to maintain maternal blood pressure within a normal range.

The effects of crystalloid warming on maternal body temperature and fetal outcomes: a randomized controlled trial / Os efeitos do aquecimento de cristaloides sobre a temperatura corporal materna e nas condições fetais: ensaio clínico randômico

Abstract Background and objectives: Hypothermia occurs in about 60% of patients under anesthesia and is generally not managed properly during short lasting surgical procedures. Hypothermia is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The current study is designed to assess the effects of crystalloid warming on maternal and fetal outcomes in patients undergoing elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, sixty parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive crystalloid at room temperature or warmed at 37 °C. Spinal anesthesia was performed at L3-L4 interspace with 10 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine without adding opioids. Core temperature, shivering, and hemodynamic parameters were measured every minute until 10th minute and 5-min intervals until the end of operation. The primary outcome was maternal core temperature at the end of cesarean section. Results: There was no difference for baseline tympanic temperature measurements but the difference was significant at the end of the operation (p = 0.004). Core temperature was 36.8 ± 0.5 °C at baseline and decreased to 36.3 ± 0.5 °C for isothermic warmed crystalloid group and baseline tympanic core temperature was 36.9 ± 0.4 °C and decreased to 35.8 ± 0.7 °C for room temperature group at the end of the operation. Shivering was observed in 43.3% in the control group. Hemodynamic parameter changes and demographic data were not significant between groups. Conclusions: Isothermic warming crystalloid prevents the decrease in core temperature during cesarean section with spinal anesthesia in full-term parturients. Fetal Apgar scores at first and fifth minute are higher with isothermic warming.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A hipotermia ocorre em cerca de 60% dos pacientes sob anestesia e geralmente não é tratada adequadamente durante procedimentos cirúrgicos de curta duração. A hipotermia está associada a desfechos clínicos adversos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do aquecimento de cristaloides nas condições maternas e fetais em pacientes submetidas à cesariana eletiva com raquianestesia. Métodos: Neste estudo prospectivo, randômico e controlado, 60 parturientes agendadas para cesárea eletiva com raquianestesia foram distribuídas aleatoriamente para receber cristaloides à temperatura ambiente ou aquecidos a 37 °C. A raquianestesia foi realizada no interespaço L3-L4 com 10 mg de bupivacaína hiperbárica sem adição de opioides. Temperatura central, tremores e parâmetros hemodinâmicos foram medidos a cada minuto até o décimo minuto e em intervalos de 5 min até o fim da operação. O desfecho primário foi a temperatura central materna ao final da cesárea. Resultados: Não houve diferença nas mensurações basais da temperatura timpânica, mas a diferença foi significativa no fim da operação (p = 0,004). A temperatura central foi de 36,8 ± 0,5 °C na fase basal e diminuiu para 36,3 ± 0,5 °C no grupo com aquecimento isotérmico de cristaloides e a temperatura basal timpânica foi de 36,9 ± 0,4 °C e diminuiu para 35,8 ± 0,7 °C no grupo sem aquecimento das soluções no fim da operação. Tremores foram observados em 43,3% no grupo controle. Alterações nos parâmetros hemodinâmicos e dados demográficos não foram significantes entre os grupos. Conclusões: O aquecimento isotérmico de cristaloides previne a redução da temperatura central durante a cesariana com raquianestesia em parturientes a termo. Os escores de Apgar para os fetos no primeiro e quinto minutos são maiores com o aquecimento isotérmico.

[The effects of crystalloid warming on maternal body temperature and fetal outcomes: a randomized controlled trial]. / Os efeitos do aquecimento de cristaloides sobre a temperatura corporal materna e nas condições fetais: ensaio clínico randômico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hypothermia occurs in about 60% of patients under anesthesia and is generally not managed properly during short lasting surgical procedures. Hypothermia is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The current study is designed to assess the effects of crystalloid warming on maternal and fetal outcomes in patients undergoing elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. METHODS: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, sixty parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive crystalloid at room temperature or warmed at 37°C. Spinal anesthesia was performed at L3-L4 interspace with 10mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine without adding opioids. Core temperature, shivering, and hemodynamic parameters were measured every minute until 10th minute and 5-min intervals until the end of operation. The primary outcome was maternal core temperature at the end of cesarean section. RESULTS: There was no difference for baseline tympanic temperature measurements but the difference was significant at the end of the operation (p=0.004). Core temperature was 36.8±0.5°C at baseline and decreased to 36.3±0.5°C for isothermic warmed crystalloid group and baseline tympanic core temperature was 36.9±0.4°C and decreased to 35.8±0.7°C for room temperature group at the end of the operation. Shivering was observed in 43.3% in the control group. Hemodynamic parameter changes and demographic data were not significant between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Isothermic warming crystalloid prevents the decrease in core temperature during cesarean section with spinal anesthesia in full-term parturients. Fetal Apgar scores at first and fifth minute are higher with isothermic warming.

Acupuncture for reducing pruritus induced by intrathecal morphine at elective cesarean delivery: a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: Intrathecal morphine is a standard postoperative analgesic administered after cesarean delivery, but frequently causes pruritus. Acupuncture reportedly resolves refractory pruritus in certain patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in preventing pruritus induced by intrathecal morphine. METHODS: Thirty parturients received intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine (12 mg), fentanyl (10 µg), and morphine (150 µg) for spinal anesthesia at elective cesarean delivery at term. Patients were randomly divided into the acupuncture group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). In the acupuncture and control groups, certified acupuncturists inserted either indwelling press needles or sham needles, into Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Quchi (LI11), and Zhigou (SJ6) on both arms the day before surgery. Needles were removed 48 hours postoperatively. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative pruritus. Adverse effects including nausea and vomiting were also investigated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the acupuncture group and the control group in the incidence of pruritus (67% vs. 67%, P=1.000, RR 1.0 [95% CI 0.60 to 1.66]) or the requirement for antipruritic therapy (6.7% vs. 20.0%, P=0.283, RR 0.33 [95% CI 0.04 to 2.85]). The incidence of postoperative nausea in the acupuncture group versus control group was 40.0% vs. 13.3%, P=0.099, RR 3.0 [95% CI 0.72 to 12.6]). The postoperative analgesic effect was comparable. CONCLUSION: Preoperatively administered acupuncture using press needles did not decrease intrathecal morphine-induced pruritus or the requirement for treatment.

Lidocaine Spray Versus Paracervical Block During Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of pain control between lidocaine spray (LS) and paracervical block (PB) with lidocaine during the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted on 132 women who underwent LEEP of the cervix. The participants were randomly allocated to either a PB group or a LS group. The PB group participants were anesthetized by PB using 10 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 of epinephrine. The LS group participants were locally anesthetized with four puffs (40 mg) of 10% LS, which was applied thoroughly to the cervix. Pain scores, using 10-cm visual analog scales, were obtained and compared for participants in both groups during anesthesia, during excision and 30 minutes after excision. RESULTS: A total of 132 LEEPs were performed with 66 in LS group and 66 in PB group. The mean (SD) pain scores during excision were 5.2 (2.4) in the LS group and 4.2 (3.3) in the PB group (mean difference = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.8 to 2.1, p = .033), which was within the nonclinically significant margin of this study. The baseline pain score after speculum examination was not significantly different in both groups. There was no adverse effect in the LS group compared with eight cases in the PB group (tinnitus, numbness, palpitation or tachycardia, and hypertension). CONCLUSIONS: The local 40 mg of 10% LS can be used to substitute for PB for pain control during LEEP of the cervix. It also resulted in fewer adverse effects.

Transient Methemoglobinemia in three Neonates due to Maternal Pudendal Anesthesia.

Methemoglobin (MetHb) is a form of hemoglobin which contains iron in ferric state. The delivery of oxygen to tissues is impaired and cellular hypoxia develops with an increase in MetHb levels. Methemoglobinemia is a rare but potentially lethal complication of local anesthetics. In this clinical brief, three cases of transient neonatal methemoglobinemia, caused by maternal pudendal anesthesia with prilocaine, are reported.

[Maternal deaths due to anesthesia complications. Results from the French confidential enquiry into maternal deaths, 2010-2012]. / Mortalité maternelle liée à l'anesthésie-réanimation. Résultats de l'ENCMM, France 2010­2012.

Over the period 2010-2012, maternal mortality linked to anesthesia accounted for 2% of maternal deaths, with no significant change since 2007-2009. Of the 7 maternal deaths analyzed by the expert committee, anesthetic complications were in 5 cases the main cause of death: 4 attributed to direct causes related to anesthetic procedures during childbirth and 1 to indirect cause in connection with an ENT complication during pregnancy. The anesthetic causes of maternal mortality were for the 2010-2012 period: cardiac arrest under spinal anesthesia during caesarean section, local anesthetic intoxication with unsuccessful resuscitation after cardiac arrest without intralipid administration, acute respiratory distress syndrome in the postpartum period after pulmonary aspiration during caesarean section, cardiac arrest during caesarean section under general anesthesia in a context of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with mediastinal syndrome, unsuccessful endotracheal intubation in a context of cellulitis of the oral cavity floor. In two other cases, anesthetic complications were identified as associated causes of death, the primary cause being intracerebral hemorrhage stroke and pulmonary hypertension. In most of the cases analyzed over the period 2010-2012, anesthesia and resuscitation have been involved in the occurrence of maternal deaths, mainly through strategic errors in the management of patients with severe pathology before delivery, as well as through insufficient cardiac resuscitation duration after cardiac arrest.

What's trending now? An analysis of trends in internet searches for labor epidurals.

BACKGROUND: The study aim was to investigate internet use for obtaining information about epidurals for labor and delivery. METHODS: Google Trends for US data was queried from 2004 to 2015 to find the most common searches and determine temporal trends. The Google Trends query used the term [epidural] and evaluated changes in search trends over time. Search comparisons were made for each year from 2004 to 2015, and three equal time epochs during the study period (2004-07, 2008-11, 2012-15) were compared. We also compared searches for epidurals with commonly searched birth-related terms. RESULTS: Internet searches are increasing; there were 726000 searches for [epidural] in 2015. Search terms with the most significant growth in the past 4years (2012-15) were "birth with epidural," "pain after epidural," "labor without epidural," "epidural birth video," and "epidural vs natural". Searches for epidural side effects, risks, and pain on insertion were among the most common and were increasing most rapidly. Searches related to epidurals were more common than searches related to "natural births", "home births", and "labor pain", but were less common than searches for "midwives" or "doulas". CONCLUSION: The findings provide an insight into internet use by those seeking information about labor analgesic options. Identifying the most common and rapidly increasing online search queries may guide physician-parturient interactions and online content creation, to address labor analgesic topics that most interest users.

Strategies to reduce blood product utilization in obstetric practice.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Patient blood management (PBM) aims to improve patient outcome and safety by reducing the number of unnecessary RBC transfusions and vitalizing patient-specific anemia reserves. Although PBM is increasingly recognized as best clinical practice in elective surgery, implementation of PBM is restrained in the setting of obstetrics. This review summarizes recent findings to reduce blood product utilization in obstetric practice. RECENT FINDINGS: PBM-related evidence-based benefits should be urgently adopted in the field of obstetric medicine. Intravenous iron can be considered a safe, effective strategy to replenish iron stores and to correct both pregnancy-related and hemorrhage-related iron deficiency anemia. In addition to surgical techniques and the use of uterotonics, recent findings support early administration of tranexamic acid, fibrinogen and a coagulation factor concentrate-based, viscoelastically guided practice in case of peripartum hemorrhage to manage coagulopathy. In patients with cesarean section, autologous red cell blood salvage may reduce blood product utilization, although its use in this setting is controversial. SUMMARY: Implementation of PBM in obstetric practice offers large potential to reduce blood loss and transfusion requirements of allogeneic blood products, even though large clinical trials are lacking in this specific field. Intravenous iron supplementation may be suggested to increase peripartum hemoglobin levels. Additionally, tranexamic acid and point-of-care-guided supplementation of coagulation factors are potent methods to reduce unnecessary blood loss and blood transfusions in obstetrics.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss following spinal anesthesia: case reports.

The management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss following spinal anesthesia is currently an open problem. Several strategies have been used with variable results and, to the best of our knowledge, there are no prior accounts in the literature on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of this complication. We report two cases of acute onset of unilateral hearing loss after spinal anesthesia, with significantly improved results after hyperbaric oxygen therapy. A hypothesis on the possible mechanism behind this complication is discussed. A relation is established between hyperbaric oxygen therapy and this hypothetical mechanism, in order to explain successful results in the reported cases.

Low-Dose or High-Dose Rocuronium Reversed with Neostigmine or Sugammadex for Cesarean Delivery Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial of Time to Tracheal Intubation and Extubation.

BACKGROUND: Rocuronium for cesarean delivery under general anesthesia is an alternative to succinylcholine for rapid-sequence induction of anesthesia because of the availability of sugammadex for reversal of neuromuscular blockade. However, there are no large well-controlled studies in women undergoing general anesthesia for cesarean delivery. The aim of this noninferiority trial was to determine whether rocuronium and sugammadex confer benefit in time to tracheal intubation (primary outcome) and other neuromuscular blockade outcomes compared with succinylcholine, rocuronium, and neostigmine in women undergoing general anesthesia for cesarean delivery. METHODS: We aimed to enroll all women undergoing general anesthesia for cesarean delivery in the 2 participating university hospitals (Brno, Olomouc, Czech Republic) in this single-blinded, randomized, controlled study. Women were randomly assigned to the ROC group (muscle relaxation induced with rocuronium 1 mg/kg and reversed with sugammadex 2-4 mg/kg) or the SUX group (succinylcholine 1 mg/kg for induction, rocuronium 0.3 mg/kg for maintenance, and neostigmine 0.03 mg/kg for reversal of the neuromuscular blockade). The interval from the end of propofol administration to tracheal intubation was the primary end point with a noninferiority margin of 20 seconds. We recorded intubating conditions (modified Viby-Mogensen score), neonatal outcome (Apgar score <7; umbilical artery pH), anesthesia complications, and subjective patient complaints 24 hours after surgery. RESULTS: We enrolled 240 parturients. The mean time to tracheal intubation was 2.9 seconds longer in the ROC group (95% confidence interval, -5.3 to 11.2 seconds), noninferior compared with the SUX group. Absence of laryngoscopy resistance was greater in the ROC than in the SUX groups (ROC, 87.5%; SUX, 74.2%; P = 0.019), but there were no differences in vocal cord position (P = 0.45) or intubation response (P = 0.31) between groups. No statistically significant differences in incidence of anesthesia complications or in neonatal outcome were found (10-minute Apgar score <7, P = 0.07; umbilical artery pH, P = 0.43). The incidence of postpartum myalgia was greater in the SUX group (ROC 0%; SUX 6.7%; P = 0.007). The incidence of subjective complaints was lower in the ROC group (ROC, 21.4%; SUX, 37.5%; P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that rocuronium for rapid-sequence induction is noninferior for time to tracheal intubation and is accompanied by more frequent absence of laryngoscopy resistance and lower incidence of myalgia in comparison with succinylcholine for cesarean delivery under general anesthesia.

Paracervical local anaesthesia for cervical dilatation and uterine intervention.

BACKGROUND: Cervical dilatation and uterine intervention can be performed under sedation, local or general anaesthesia for obstetrics and gynaecological conditions. Many gynaecologists use paracervical local anaesthesia but its effectiveness is unclear. This review was originally published in 2009 and was updated in 2013. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this review were to determine the effectiveness and safety of paracervical local anaesthesia for cervical dilatation and uterine intervention, versus no treatment, placebo, other methods of regional anaesthesia, sedation and systemic analgesia, and general anaesthesia. SEARCH METHODS: We reran our search to August 2013. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2013, Issue 8), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2013), EMBASE (1980 to August 2013), and reference lists of articles. The original search was performed in January 2006. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized or controlled clinical studies involving women who underwent cervical dilatation and uterine intervention for obstetrics and gynaecological conditions. We included studies which compared paracervical anaesthesia with no treatment, placebo, other methods of regional anaesthesia, systemic sedation and analgesia, or general anaesthesia. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently evaluated the studies, extracted data, and checked and entered data into Review Manager. MAIN RESULTS: This updated review includes nine new studies, in total 26 studies with 28 comparisons and involving 2790 participants. No study of local paracervical versus general anaesthesia met our criteria. Ten studies compared local anaesthetic versus placebo. Paracervical local anaesthetic (PLA) reduced pain on cervical dilatation with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.37 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.58) and a relative risk (RR) of severe pain of 0.16 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.74). PLA also reduced abdominal pain during, but not after, uterine intervention (SMD 0.74, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.19); there was no evidence of any effect on postoperative back or shoulder pain. Comparisons against no treatment did not demonstrate any effect of PLA. Five studies compared paracervical block with uterosacral block, intracervical block, or intrauterine topical anaesthesia. Two of these studies showed no significant difference in pain during the procedure. Compared to intrauterine instillation, PLA slightly reduced severe pain (from 8.3 to 7.6 on a 10-point scale), which may be negligible. Six studies compared PLA with sedation. There were no statistically significant differences in pain during or after the procedure, postoperative analgesia requirement, adverse effects, patient satisfaction, and the operator's perception of analgesia. We performed risk of bias assessment using six domains and found that more than half of the included studies had low risk of bias. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found that no technique provided reliable pain control in the 26 included studies. Some studies reported that women experienced severe pain (mean scores of 7 to 9 out of 10) during uterine intervention, irrespective of the analgesic technique used. We concluded that the available evidence fails to show whether paracervical block is inferior, equivalent, or superior to alternative analgesic techniques in terms of efficacy and safety for women undergoing cervical dilatation and uterine interventions. We suggest that woman are likely to consider the rates and severity of pain during uterine interventions when performed awake to be unacceptable in the absence of neuraxial blockade, which are unaltered by paracervical block.

Transient neonatal methemoglobinemia caused by maternal pudendal anesthesia in delivery with prilocaine: report of two cases.

This paper reports two cases of transient neonatal methemoglobinemia caused by maternal pudendal anesthesia with prilocaine. In the first case a two-hour-old, 3100 gram term-male infant was admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) because of central cyanosis. He was born from a 21-year-old mother with spontaneous vaginal delivery. Central cyanosis was noted without respiratory distress. Oxygen saturation was recorded as 72% with pulse oximetry in room air and with oxygen given by mask. Chest radiogram, echocardiography and laboratory findings were found to be normal except a methemoglobin level of 28%. No etiology was found, except for maternal prilocaine administration during labor. In the second case a six-hour-old 3300 gram, full-term male neonate born by spontaneous vaginal delivery was admitted to NICU for central cyanosis. The neonate was noted to have central cyanosis with respiratory distress. Oxygen saturation with pulse oximetry was 70% with mask oxygen therapy. Methemoglobin level was 42%. The neonate was treated with single dose intravenous ascorbic acid (300 mg/kg) to which he responded dramatically at 24 hours of life. No other etiology was detected except pudendal anesthesia during delivery with prilocaine. According to the authors, prilocaine administered before delivery to provide maternal local pudendal anesthesia may cause transient neonatal methemoglobinemia. All neonates born to mothers who receive potential oxidant drugs like prilocaine just before the time of delivery should be carefully monitored for methemoglobinemia.

[Effect of electric acupoint stimulation on shivering in cesarean section].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of electric acupoint stimulation on shivering in cesarean section. METHODS: Eighty cases of parturients, under the America Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II , were randomized into a transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) assisted anesthesia group (group A) and an anesthesia group (group B). Spinal-epidural anesthesia(CSEA) puncture was applied to both groups and 8 mg of 0. 75% bubivacaine was given by spinal injection, the block level was T4 T8. In group A, TEAS was applied before CSEA at paired acupoints-ipsilateral Hegu (LI 4)-Laogong (PC 8) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6)-Zusanli (ST 36) till ending the surgery. The 4 pair of bilateral acupoints were fixed with self-adhesive electrodes and connected with Han's acupoint and nerve stimulator (HANS, LH402H), the frequency was 2 Hz/ 15 Hz, the intensity was 10- 30 mA and the form was densedisperse wave within the patients' tolarance. The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), oxyhemoglobin saturation (SPO) and shivering degree were recorded before anesthesia (To), 1 min after anesthesia puncture (Ti), 1 min after the delivery (Tz), during abdomen closure (T3) and at the end of surgery (T4). RESULTS: The occurrence rate of shivering was 35. 0% (14/40) in group A, which was lower to 67. 5% (27/40, P<0. 05) in group B; the degree of shivering was lighter in group A than that in group B at T2, T3 and T4 (all P<0. 01). In group A, HR was faster at T1 and T2 compared to that at To (all P<0. 05), while at T3 and T4, the HR was the same with that before anesthesia (all P>0. 05). In group B, the HR was faster at T1, T2, T3 and T4 compared to that at T0 (P<0. 05, P<0. 01). In both groups, the MAP was lower at T1, T2 (P<0.05,P<0.01) and resumed to that before anesthesia at T3 and T4 (all P>0.05); there was no statistical significance of SPO2 in both groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: TEAS can reduce the occurrence rate of shivering and steady the heart rate in cesarean section.

A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of acupressure wristbands for the prevention of nausea and vomiting during labour and delivery.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 50% of women experience nausea or vomiting during labour. P6 acupoint stimulation reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy and after chemotherapy. The aim of this randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was to determine whether P6 acupressure prevented nausea and vomiting during labour and delivery. METHODS: After ethical approval and informed consent, women admitted for induction of labour, or in spontaneous labour, were randomised to receive either acupressure bands (Pressure Right) (Group A) or sham placebo bands (Group P) applied to each wrist. Exclusions included recent nausea or vomiting. RESULTS: We consented 365 women and randomised 340 (170 per group). The groups had similar patient and labour characteristics. The incidence of nausea and/or vomiting did not significantly differ (Group A 53% vs. Group P 50%, P=0.58). There was no significant difference between groups (A vs. P, respectively) in the incidence of nausea (52% vs. 45%), vomiting (27% vs. 28%), rescue antiemetic treatment (27% in both), severity of nausea or vomiting, satisfaction with control of nausea or ratings of inconvenience or discomfort from the bands (10% vs. 11%). Factors significantly associated with emetic symptoms were smoking (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.07-4.37), opioid analgesia (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.06-3.59), history of motion-induced or postoperative nausea and vomiting (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.17-2.94) and higher body mass index (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.12). CONCLUSION: In this study acupressure wristbands applied bilaterally did not reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting during labour and delivery.

Effect of anesthesiological strategies on neonatal bilirubin levels during cesarean section: a prospective and randomized trial.

PURPOSE: Neonatal jaundice, a frequent problem in neonatology, can be influenced by many factors. Here, we sought to clarify the role of anesthesia and to compare the effects of various anesthesiological strategies on neonatal bilirubin levels during cesarean section. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 167 ASA I-II status uncomplicated pregnant women who delivered by cesarean section as the study group. The patients were randomized based on anesthesiological strategy: inhalation (IA), spinal (SA), total intravenous (TIVA), and epidural anesthesia (EA) groups. Neonatal total (TB) and direct bilirubin (DB) levels at the 24th hour and 5th day of life and the need for phototherapy were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Direct bilirubin levels at 24th hour of SA group and EA group were higher compared to IA group (p = 0.008). When DB levels at fifth day were compared, levels in group TIVA were significantly higher than group SA (p = 0.019). TB levels at fifth day in group TIVA were higher than SA and EA groups (p = 0.05). The percentage of newborns needing phototherapy did not differ significantly among groups, but was highest in the TIVA group (25%), followed by the IA (15%), EA (10%) and SA (7%) groups (p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: EA and SA at cesarean section seem to be better among the four anesthesia techniques considering neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Our findings are consistent with the idea that anesthesia may be a risk factor for hyperbilirubinemia. Although anesthesia may not significantly increase the need for interventions such as phototherapy, it may increase the burden of time, labor and cost.

Pain relief in outpatient hysteroscopy: a survey of current UK clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Outpatient hysteroscopy is increasingly being used as a cost-effective alternative to in-patient hysteroscopy under general anaesthesia. Like other outpatient gynaecological procedures, however, it has the potential to cause pain severe enough for the procedure to be abandoned. There are no national guidelines on pain relief for outpatient hysteroscopy. METHODS: A postal survey of UK gynaecologists was carried out to evaluate current clinical practice regarding methods of pain relief used during office hysteroscopy. A total of 250 questionnaires were sent out and 115 responses received. RESULTS: Outpatient hysteroscopy was offered by 76.5% of respondents. Respondents reported a wide variation in the use of routine and rescue analgesia, and also in the nature of the analgesia used. One-quarter of those offering outpatient hysteroscopy used no form of analgesia. CONCLUSION: The results showed that whilst there is no consensus on the type of analgesia provided, rescue analgesia is commonly being used, particularly in the form of intracervical blocks.

[Spinal anesthesia for cesarean section--safe and effective anesthetic management].

Spinal anesthesia is a safe and effective anesthetic technique for cesarean section, considering its simplicity, rapidity, accompanied maternal awareness and distribution of anesthetic agents. The problems of spinal anesthesia, hypotension, postdural puncture headache, failed spinal anesthesia, and its duration, have been investigated. Intravenous fluid therapy may reduce the incidence and severity of the hypotension. Colloid administration is one of the interventions for prevention of hypotension. Low dose phenylephrine is effective without fetal acidosis in healthy mother. The fluid and vasoconstrictor therapies for hypotension induced by spinal anesthesia were briefly reviewed. Postdural puncture headache is one of the troublesome problems. Epidural blood patch is one of the definitive treatments; however further randomized trials are required. Spinal opioid has improved the quality of spinal anesthesia. The recommended dose of spinal opioid in the recent obstetric anesthesia textbooks has been reviewed. The recent issue about safety and effectiveness in obstetric anesthesia has been briefly discussed.

P6 stimulation for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: A number of studies investigated the use of P6 stimulation for the prevention of intraoperative and postoperative nausea and vomiting (IONV and PONV) in women having cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia. We performed a systematic review to determine the overall efficacy of these techniques in preventing IONV and PONV in this patient population. METHODS: We performed a literature search of all randomized controlled trials (1966-2007) that compared different methods of P6 stimulation with placebo in women having cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia. Data were extracted on the primary outcomes including the incidence of nausea, vomiting, and the need for rescue antiemetic therapy, both intraoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Six studies involving 649 patients were included in this review. Five studies reported on intraoperative outcomes. Of these, two studies reported a significant reduction in the incidence of intraoperative nausea with P6 stimulation, and one study reported a significant reduction in rescue antiemetic requirement. However, none of the studies reported any differences between the treatment and control groups with respect to vomiting. Four studies reported postoperative outcomes. Of these, one study reported a significant reduction in postoperative nausea, two studies reported a significant reduction in postoperative vomiting, and one study reported a significant reduction in the need for postoperative rescue antiemetic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: While some studies showed a benefit of P6 stimulation, this finding was not consistent. The presence of heterogeneity and inconsistent results among the included trials prevents any definitive conclusions on the efficacy of P6 stimulation in reducing IONV and PONV associated with cesarean delivery performed under neuraxial anesthesia.