[Maternal mortality due to obstetric haemorrhage in France 2016-2018]. / Mortalité maternelle par hémorragie obstétricale en France 2016­2018.

Between 2016 and 2018, 20 maternal deaths were related to obstetric haemorrhage, excluding haemorrhage in the first trimester of pregnancy, representing a mortality ratio of 0.87 per 100,000 live births (95% CI 0.5 -1.3). Obstetric haemorrhage is the cause of 7.4% of all maternal deaths up to 1 year, 10% of maternal deaths within 42days, and 21% of deaths directly related to pregnancy (direct causes). Between 2001 and 2018, maternal mortality from obstetric haemorrhage has been considerably reduced, from 2.2deaths per 100,000 live births in 2001-2003 to 0.87 in the period presented here. Nevertheless, obstetric haemorrhage is still one of the main direct causes of maternal death, and remains the cause with the highest proportion of deaths considered probably (53%) or possibly (42%) preventable according to the CNEMM's collegial assessment (see chapter 3). The preventable factors reported are related to inadequate content of care in 94% of cases and/or organisation of care in 44% of cases. In this triennium, maternal death due to haemorrhage occurred mainly in the context of caesarean delivery (65% of cases, i.e. 13/20), and mostly in the context of emergency care (12/13). The main causes of obstetric haemorrhage were uterine rupture (6/20) in unscarred uterus or in association with placenta accreta, and surgical injury during the caesarean delivery (5/20). Every maternity hospital, whatever its resources and/or technical facilities, must be able to plan any obstetric haemorrhage situation that threatens the mother's vital prognosis. Intraperitoneal occult haemorrhage following caesarean section and uterine rupture require immediate surgery with the help of skilled surgeon resources with early and appropriate administration of blood products.

[Maternal mortality due to Amniotic Fluid Embolism in France 2016-2018]. / Mortalité maternelle par embolie amniotique en France 2016­2018.

Amniotic embolism remains the 3rd leading cause of maternal death in France, with 21 maternal deaths over the 2016-2018 triennium. The women who died were more likely to be obese (25%), to benefit from induction of labor (71%) and be cared in a maternity hospital <1500 deliveries/year (45%), compared with the reference population (ENP 2016). The symptom occurred mainly during labor (95%) and the course was rapid, with a symptom-to-fatality interval of 4hours 45minutes (min: 25minutes - max: 8 days). Preventability was proposed for 35% of the deaths assessed, with areas for improvement identified in terms of technical skills (haemostasis procedures, management of polytransfusion), non-technical skills (communication) and health care organization (human resources, vital emergency plan, wide access to PSL). An autopsy was performed in 38% of deaths.

[Evolution of the obstetrical Shock Index in postpartum haemorrhage according to the use of sulprostone]. / Évolution du Shock Index obstétrical lors d'une hémorragie du post-partum selon le recours à la sulprostone.

OBJECTIVES: The Shock Index (SI) is used in emergency medicine to assess the severity of active bleeding and in the postpartum context for postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). We investigated the diagnostic value of haemodynamic parameters (SI, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP)) in predicting subsequent use of uterotonic sulprostone treatment. METHODS: This was a retrospective study including parturients with PPH ≥ 500mL between January 2017 and December 2018. Hemodynamic parameters at the diagnosis of PPH were compared according to whether the patient required subsequent sulprostone treatment (sulprostone(+) group) or not (sulprostone(-) group). RESULTS: We included in the analysis 147 patients. The SI was significantly higher in the sulprostone(+) group (0.92±0.28 vs. 0.83±0.22; p=0.04). The SBP (107.2±17.5 vs. 113.8±17.7mmHg; p=0.03), DBP (56.8±12,2 vs. 61.5±13,2mmHg; p=0.04), MAP (73.6±12.6 vs. 78.5±13.4mmHg; p=0.03) were significantly lower in the same group. No difference between AUC of these parameters to predict the use of sulprostone was found (AUC between 0.59 and 0.61). No significant difference was found for the HR between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic value of SI appeared to be low and similar to other haemodynamic parameters in predicting the use of sulprostone.

Raising awareness to prevent, recognise and manage acute pain during caesarean delivery: The French Practice Bulletin.

The incidence of acute pain during caesarean section varies between studies, with a reported rate ranging between 0.5%-17% for spinal anaesthesia and 1.7%-20% for epidural anaesthesia. Leaders from the French Club anesthésie-réanimation en obstétrique (CARO) convened to provide a clinical framework and practice bulletin to prevent, recognise and treat acute pain during caesarean section. First, a steering group agreed on 5 themes guiding quality of anaesthesia care for caesarean section: (1) appropriate neuraxial anaesthesia and testing of the surgical block prior to incision (PREVENTION); (2) appropriate organisation around decision to delivery time (COMMUNICATION); 3) appropriate management of pain before and/or after skin incision (RECOGNITION & RESPONSE); (4) appropriate prevention, identification and management of post-traumatic stress disorder (SCREENING, PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF COMPLICATIONS); (5) management of medico-legal issues (MITIGATION). Then, an interdisciplinary multi-professional taskforce composed of obstetric anaesthesiologists, obstetricians, neonatologists, psychiatrists, midwifes, nurse anaesthetists, lawyers and patients, developed 23 statements that contribute to optimise care for caesarean section under neuraxial anaesthesia, of which 10 were deemed key recommendations. A decision-tree was built to optimise prevention, communication, recognition, response and management. The aim of this practice bulletin, which was endorsed by 6 societies, is to raise awareness on the risks associated with severe acute pain during caesarean section and to provide best clinical practices; pain during caesarean is not acceptable and should be prevented and managed by all stakeholders.

Post-partum relapse in women with multiple sclerosis after neuraxial labour analgesia or neuraxial anaesthesia: A multicentre retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The proportion of women with multiple sclerosis experiencing a relapse in the post-partum period after neuraxial labour analgesia or neuraxial anaesthesia remains uncertain. This study aimed to assess the association between neuraxial labour analgesia or neuraxial anaesthesia and the occurrence of relapse during the first three months post-partum. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, cases of women with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis delivering between January 2010 and April 2015 were analysed. Demographic, anaesthetic and obstetric characteristics, occurrence and number of relapses in the year preceding pregnancy, during pregnancy, and the first three post-partum months, were recorded. Logistic regression analyses were performed for the identification of factors associated with the occurrence of post-partum relapse. RESULTS: A total of 118 deliveries in 104 parturients were included, these were 78 (66%) vaginal deliveries and 40 (34%) caesarean deliveries. Neuraxial analgesia was provided in 50 deliveries, and neuraxial anaesthesia in 46 deliveries; no neuraxial anaesthesia or analgesia was administered in remaining 22 deliveries. Post-partum relapse occurred in 31 women (26%). There was no association between obstetric or anaesthetic characteristics and post-partum relapse. Both the occurrence and number of relapses prior to and during pregnancy, and the time between last relapse and delivery, were significantly associated with post-partum relapse in univariate analysis. The occurrence of relapse within the year preceding the pregnancy was the sole independent factor associated with post-partum relapse. CONCLUSION: Neuraxial procedures were not associated with increased rate of post-partum relapse; only disease activity prior to pregnancy was predictive of post-partum relapse.

Effects of Low Intraperitoneal Pressure on Quality of Postoperative Recovery after Laparoscopic Surgery for Genital Prolapse in Elderly Patients Aged 75 Years or Older.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Previous clinical trials for laparoscopic surgery have included few elderly patients aged ≥75 years. We aimed to evaluate the quality of postoperative recovery after laparoscopic surgery using low intraperitoneal pressure (IPP) (6 mm Hg) and warmed, humidified carbon dioxide gas for genital prolapse in elderly patients aged ≥75 years. DESIGN: Prospective consecutive case series. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients (n = 30) aged ≥75 years planning to undergo laparoscopic surgery for genital prolapse by the same surgeon were recruited from October 2016 through December 2019. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic promontofixation for the treatment of genital prolapse was performed using low IPP and warmed, humidified carbon dioxide gas. When a promontory could not be easily identified, laparoscopic pectopexy was alternatively performed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was the Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40) score at 24 hours postoperatively. The secondary outcomes were postoperative pain using a 100-mm visual analog scale and the length of hospital stay after surgery (LHSS). For the global QoR-40 score and for 4 dimensions of the QoR-40, "emotional state," "physical comfort," "psychologic support," and "pain," no differences were observed between the baseline score and the score at 24 hours. The score for the "physical independence" dimension at 24 hours was significantly lower than the baseline score (p <.001). No patient had visual analog scale pain scores >30 out of 100 at 12 hours or later. LHSS was <48 hours in 22 patients (73.3%) and <72 hours in 8 patients (26.7%). Multivariable analysis showed that the odds of an LHSS >48 hours were more than 8 times higher in patients who were discharged from the operating room in the afternoon compared with those with a morning discharge. CONCLUSION: The use of a low IPP is feasible, safe, and has clinical benefits for elderly patients aged ≥75 years who undergo laparoscopic surgery for genital prolapse.

Laparoscopic adnexectomy under regional anaesthesia: It is possible!

At present, the majority of laparoscopic operations are performed under general anaesthesia, as it controls surgical pain and improves patient comfort using pneumoperitoneum and the Trendelenburg position. However, some laparoscopic procedures, such as adnexectomies, can potentially be performed under epidural anaesthesia with a purposefully selected and motivated patient managed by prepared surgical and anaesthesia care teams working together effectively. This study reports the case of a 63-year-old female patient with major respiratory failure who underwent laparoscopic bilateral adnexectomies under epidural anaesthesia.

Does programmed intermittent epidural bolus improve childbirth conditions of nulliparous women compared with patient-controlled epidural analgesia?: A multicentre, randomised, controlled, triple-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Epidural analgesia may change the mechanics of childbirth. These changes are related to the concentration of the local anaesthetic used epidurally but probably also to its mode of delivery into the epidural space. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the administration of programmed intermittent epidural boluses (PIEB) improves the mechanics of second-stage labour compared with patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with a background infusion. DESIGN: A randomised, controlled, triple-blind study. SETTING: Multicentre study including four level III maternity units, January 2014 until June 2016. PATIENTS: A total of 298 nulliparous patients in spontaneous labour were randomised to a PIEB or PCEA group. INTERVENTION: After epidural initiation with 15 ml of 0.1% levobupivacaine containing 10 µg of sufentanil, patients received either an hourly bolus of 8 ml (PIEB) or a continuous rate infusion of 8 ml h (PCEA): the drug mixture used was levobupivacaine 0.1% and sufentanil 0.36 µg ml. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of objective labour events: a posterior occiput position in the second stage, an occiput position at birth, waiting time at full cervical dilatation before active maternal pushing more than 3 h, maternal active pushing duration more than 40 min, and foetal heart rate alterations. Vaginal instrumental delivery rates, analgesia and motor blockade scores were also recorded. RESULTS: From the 298 patients randomised, data from 249 (124 PIEB, 125 PCEA) were analysed. No difference was found in the primary outcome: 48.0% (PIEB) and 45.5% (PCEA) of patients, P = 0.70. In addition, no difference was observed between the groups for each of the individual events of the composite endpoint, nor in the instrumental vaginal delivery rate, nor in the degree of motor blockade. Despite an equivalent volume of medication in the groups, a significantly higher analgesia score at full dilatation was observed in the PIEB group, odds-ratio = 1.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 3.5), P = 0.04. CONCLUSION: The mechanics of the second stage did not differ whether PIEB or PCEA was used. Analgesic conditions appeared to be superior with PIEB, especially at full dilation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01856166.

Effects of low intraperitoneal pressure and a warmed, humidified carbon dioxide gas in laparoscopic surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

Laparoscopic surgery technology continues to advance. However, much less attention has been focused on how alteration of the laparoscopic surgical environment might improve clinical outcomes. We conducted a randomized, 2 × 2 factorial trial to evaluate whether low intraperitoneal pressure (IPP) (8 mmHg) and/or warmed, humidified CO2 (WH) gas are better for minimizing the adverse impact of a CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the peritoneal environment during laparoscopic surgery and for improving clinical outcomes compared to the standard IPP (12 mmHg) and/or cool and dry CO2 (CD) gas. Herein we show that low IPP and WH gas may decrease inflammation in the laparoscopic surgical environment, resulting in better clinical outcomes. Low IPP and/or WH gas significantly lowered expression of inflammation-related genes in peritoneal tissues compared to the standard IPP and/or CD gas. The odds ratios of a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score >30 in the ward was 0.18 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.52) at 12 hours and 0.06 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.26) at 24 hours in the low IPP group versus the standard IPP group, and 0.16 (95% CI: 0.05, 0.49) at 0 hours and 0.29 (95% CI: 0.10, 0.79) at 12 hours in the WH gas group versus the CD gas group.

The Role of Psychological Factors in Persistent Pain After Cesarean Delivery.

UNLABELLED: This French multicenter prospective cohort study recruited 391 patients to investigate the risk factors for persistent pain after elective cesarean delivery, focusing on psychosocial aspects adjusted for other known medical factors. Perioperative data were collected and specialized questionnaires were completed to assess reports of pain at the site of surgery. Three dependent outcomes were considered: pain at the third month after surgery (M3, n = 268; risk = 28%), pain at the sixth month after surgery (M6, n = 239; risk = 19%), and the cumulative incidence (up to M6) of neuropathic pain, as assessed using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire (n = 218; risk = 24.5%). The neuropathic aspect of reported pain changed over time in more than 60% of cases, pain being more intense if associated with neuropathic features. Whatever the dependent outcome, a high mental component of quality of life (SF-36) was protective. Pain at M3 was also predicted by pain reported during current pregnancy and a history of miscarriage. Pain at M6 was also predicted by report of a postoperative complication. Incident neuropathic pain was predicted by pain reported during current pregnancy, a previous history of a peripheral neuropathic event, and preoperative anxiety. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00812734. PERSPECTIVE: Persistent pain after cesarean delivery has a relatively frequent neuropathic aspect but this is less stable than that after other surgeries. When comparing the risk factor analyses with published data for hysterectomy, the influence of preoperative psychological factors seems less important, possibly because of the different context and environment.

Maternal satisfaction as an outcome criterion in research on labor analgesia: data analysis from the recent literature.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether maternal satisfaction (MS) is taken into consideration as an outcome criterion in clinical research on analgesia for labor. METHODS: A systematic review of articles reporting analgesia for labor from a panel of 17 influential journals was undertaken. A total of 116 articles were analyzed, including 282 within-study groups. The scope of MS, the type of outcome measure used, and the time of measurement were noted. Each available observation was assigned an ordinal value of MS (ordMS), according to data distribution. The factors influencing ordMS were identified by multivariable analysis. RESULTS: The methods used to assess MS were very variable, even within the different measurement tools reported. The weighted distribution of ordMS was 17.8%, 21.8%, 31.2%, and 29.3% for levels "poor," "fair," "good," and "excellent," respectively. In comparative studies, statistical differences for analgesia were related to statistical differences for MS (P<0.0001), but only the negative predictive value was high (0.87). Power to detect a difference in MS between treatment groups was low in general, but it influenced reporting of a significant difference for MS (P<0.0001). The obstetrical factors influencing ordMS were: the body mass index, the initial cervical dilatation, and the within-study percentage of nulliparous women. The techniques alternative to epidural analgesia negatively influenced ordMS. DISCUSSION: A standard and validated tool to assess MS in clinical research on analgesia for labor is still to be developed. Power should be improved by acting on sample sizes or sensitivity of the outcome.

Severe pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy: mode of delivery and anesthetic management of 15 consecutive cases.

BACKGROUND: Available literature on pregnant women with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) relies mainly on anecdotal case reports and two series only. METHODS: The authors reviewed the charts of all pregnant women with severe PH who were followed up at their institution during the past 10 yr, to assess the multidisciplinary treatment and outcome of these patients. RESULTS: Fifteen pregnancies in 14 women with severe PH were managed during this period: There were 4 cases of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), 6 cases of congenital heart disease-associated PAH, 1 case of fenfluramine-associated PAH, 1 case of mixed connective tissue-associated PAH, 1 case of human immunodeficiency virus-associated PAH, and 2 cases of chronic thromboembolic PH. PH presented during pregnancy in 3 patients. Two patients died before delivery at 12 and 23 weeks' gestation. Four patients had vaginal deliveries with regional anesthesia: One died 3 months postpartum, one worsened, and two remained stable. Four had cesarean deliveries during general anesthesia: One died 3 weeks postpartum, one worsened, and two remained stable. Five had cesarean deliveries during low-dose combined spinal-epidural anesthesia: One died 1 week postpartum, and four remained stable. There were two fetal deaths: one related to therapeutic abortion at 21 weeks' gestation and one stillbirth at 36 weeks' gestation followed by the death of the mother 1 week later. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the most modern treatment efforts, the maternal mortality was 36%. Scheduled cesarean delivery during combined spinal-epidural anesthesia seemed to be an attractive approach, but there was no evidence of actual benefit. Therefore, pregnancy must still be discouraged in patients with severe PH.