["Why mothers die". Learning from the analysis of anaesthesia-related maternal deaths (1985-2013)]. / "Why mothers die". Was wir von der Analyse anästhesiebedingter mütterlicher Sterbefälle (1985-2013) gelernt haben.

Every day, more than 800 women die from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth. Since 1952 the Confidential Enquiry of Maternal Deaths Reports (CEMD) have collected and analysed data on maternal mortality in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. This publication analyses the CEMD from 1985-2013 regarding anaesthesia- and analgesia related maternal deaths during pregnancy or peripartum. During this period, there has been a reduction in directly anaesthesia-related maternal deaths to 4.3%. Yet, an increase in anaesthesia-associated maternal deaths has been recorded. The rate of fatal complications during obstetric regional anaesthesia doubled in recent years, while the fatality risk for obstetric general anaesthesia has decreased. Many of the reported maternal deaths could presumably have been avoided. The anaesthesiologist has to be familiar with state-of-the-art, guideline-based concepts for anaesthesia during pregnancy, childbirth or post partum, especially using tools like simulation. Vital sign monitoring after obstetric anaesthesia has to be identical to other postoperative monitoring, and Modified Early Warning Scores should be used for this purpose. In regional anaesthesia, current standards for hygiene have to be adhered to and patients have to be visited after spinal/epidural anaesthesia. Interdisciplinary communication and collaboration still have to be improved; careful interdisciplinary planning of childbirth in high-risk obstetric patients is strongly advised.

[Prehospital obstetrical emergencies in a physician-staffed ground-based emergency service. A retrospective analysis over a 5-year period]. / Prähospitale geburtshilfliche Notfälle in einem bodengebundenen städtischen Notarztsystem. Retrospektive Analyse eines 5-jährigen Zeitraums.

BACKGROUND: In the German emergency medical system (EMS) obstetrical emergencies are rarely encountered, but are highly emotional situations for all concerned and form a special challenge for the emergency physician. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, the course and the performance of rescue missions in a ground-based EMS system. METHODS: In a retrospective study the prehospital emergency charts concerning obstetrical emergencies over a 5-year period (10/2002-09/2007) were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 40 physician-staffed rescue missions with obstetrical emergencies were identified. On average seven rescue missions were performed per year. The majority of cases with 73% of the rescue missions was performed during the night service (16:00-07:00 h). On average the emergency patients (26th-41st week of gestation) were classified by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) score as NACA III. Of the 40 obstetrical emergencies delivery occurred out of hospital in 18 cases (33rd-41st week of gestation), while the emergency physician was present in only 3 cases during childbirth. In 15 cases prehospital childbirth took place in the domestic environment of the patient, in 2 cases in an ambulance and in 1 case in the medical office of a gynecologist. In 20 cases the pregnant women were transported to hospital while labor had already begun. The emergency physicians on scene applied intravenous access, guided through labor and delivery, and administered tocolysis and in cases of prehospital delivery the emergency physicians also applied oxytocin, cut the umbilical cord and performed primary care of the newborn. CONCLUSIONS: Obstetrical emergencies are rare but recurrent in the ground-based EMS. However, prehospital management of women in labor, supervision of spontaneous prehospital delivery and the initial management of a newborn form a challenge for the emergency physician responsible. Consequently, prehospital management of obstetrical emergencies needs intensive consideration during education and training of emergency medical personnel.

[Hemorrhaging during pregnancy]. / Blutungen während der Schwangerschaft.

Hemorrhaging during pregnancy is often fulminant and life-threatening for mother and child. Of maternal deaths occurring during pregnancy, 25% are caused by hemorrhaging. All physicians involved in the interdisciplinary treatment of hemorrhaging during pregnancy need to be familiar with the specific pathophysiology of hemostatic changes during pregnancy, e.g. elevated hemostatic capacity, reduced anti-coagulation activity and severe alterations of the fibrinolysis system. Therapists must be able to perform a consequent, goal-directed interdisciplinary approach to prevent adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The major issues of therapy are causal obstetric treatment of the bleeding, early detection and therapy of hyperfibrinolysis, optimization of fibrinogen and platelet levels and knowledge of the possibilities of a targeted coagulation therapy.

Comparison of caudal and intravenous clonidine in the prevention of agitation after sevoflurane in children.

BACKGROUND: In children, sevoflurane anaesthesia is associated with postanaesthetic agitation, which is treated mainly with opioids. We compared the effectiveness of epidural and i.v. clonidine in the prevention of this postanaesthetic agitation. METHODS: Eighty children aged 3-8 yr (ASA I-II) received standardized general anaesthesia with inhaled sevoflurane and caudal epidural block with 0.175% bupivacaine 1 ml kg-1 for minor surgery. The children were assigned randomly to four groups: (I) clonidine 1 microgram kg-1 added to caudal bupivacaine; (II) clonidine 3 micrograms kg-1 added to caudal bupivacaine; (III) clonidine 3 micrograms kg-1 i.v. and caudal bupivacaine; and (IV) caudal block with bupivacaine, no clonidine (control). A blinded observer assessed the behaviour of the children during the first postoperative hour. Secondary end-points were the time to fitness for discharge from the postanaesthesia care unit, and haemodynamic and respiratory variables. RESULTS: The incidence of agitation was 22, 0, 5 and 39% in groups I, II, III and IV respectively (P < 0.05 for groups II and III compared with group IV). During the first hour after surgery, patients in groups II and III had significantly lower scores for agitation than group IV patients. Time to fitness for discharge did not differ between the four groups. CONCLUSIONS: Clonidine 3 micrograms kg-1 prevented agitation after sevoflurane anaesthesia, independently of the route of administration. The effect of clonidine appears to be dose-dependent, as an epidural dose of 1 microgram kg-1 failed to reduce it.

[Premedication and preoperative fasting in pediatric anesthesia. Results of a survey]. / Prämedikation und präoperative Nahrungskarenz in der Kinderanästhesie. Ergebnisse einer Umfrage.

This study evaluates the current practice of premedication and preoperative fasting in pediatric anaesthesia in Germany. A total of 90 questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected hospitals with departments or sections of anaesthesiology and pediatric surgery. 71 questionnaires were returned and analysed (reply rate 79%). 60% of the responding hospitals start premedication between the ages of 3 and 12 months and 32% between 1 and 2 years of age. Premedication ist most often given orally (64%), followed by rectal (29%) and intranasal (3%) routes. Midazolam is used by 96% of the respondents as the primary sedative premedication. Alternatively, promethazine and chloraldhydrate are most frequently used. Anticholinergic drugs are given routinely by 21% of the respondents. For the apprehensive child intramuscular ketamine is most often used (33%), followed by intranasal midazolam (22%), rectal midazolam (19%) and rectal thiopentone or methohexitone (13%). For children less than 1 year of age 63% of the hospitals restrict clear liquids 2 hours and 34% 3 or 4 hours before anaesthesia. 64% of the respondents require abstinence from milk for 4 hours and 30% for 6 hours prior to surgery. For children older than one year of age fasting period requirements for clear liquids were 2 hours (34%), 3 hours (27%), 4 hours (30%) and 6 hours (9%). For children over 1 year of age the majority allow solid food or milk up to 6 hours prior to anaesthesia (68% and 63%, respectively). The survey shows that premedication is started during the first two years of age by nearly all responding hospitals. Oral or rectal midazolam is the most frequently used premedication regimen. Preoperative fasting guidelines vary.

[Anesthesia and intensive therapy in autonomic dysfunction]. / Anästhesie und Intensivtherapie bei autonomer Dysfunktion.

Familial dysautonomia (Riley-Day syndrome) is a rare genetic disorder that is transmitted via an autosomal recessive gene. The disease, typically involving Jewish children, affects the central nervous system and can be characterised by pathological deficits in peripheral autonomic and sensory neurones. The signs, which begin in early childhood, include poor perception of pain and temperature, poor co-ordination of muscles, emotional crises with hypertension and profound sweating, postural hypotension, and excessive vagal reflexes. We present the case of a 1.5-year-old child who underwent general anaesthesia for gastrostomy and fundoplication because of chronic aspiration. The technique consisted of balanced anaesthesia with invasive monitoring: intra-arterial line, central venous catheter, pulse oximetry, capnography, and monitoring of urinary output, temperature, and metabolic changes. Pulmonary problems included a dramatic decrease in SaO2 during intubation, massive bronchial secretions, and a high fluid requirement. The haemodynamic parameters remained stable. In the postoperative period, pulmonary problems included severe pneumonia with variable pulmonary shunting and requiring an inspired oxygen fraction of between 0.5 and 1.0, accompanied by bronchoconstriction, atelectasis, and profuse bronchial secretions. Controlled ventilation had to be maintained for 4 days. The cardiovascular system was unstable with intermittent episodes of bradycardia, tachycardia, and hypo- or hypertension. The patient also showed signs of autonomic crises, which were treated with diazepam. Although patients with autonomic dysfunction are at high risk in the perioperative period, they can be managed safely when therapeutic efforts are optimised.