Pregnancy complications and loss: an observational survey comparing anesthesiologists and obstetrician-gynecologists.

OBJECTIVE: While there is increasing information regarding the occupational risks to pregnant physicians, there is inconsistent and limited subspecialty data. Physicians may be at increased risk for pregnancy complications due to occupational exposure, long work hours, nightshifts, and physical/mental demands. Additionally, little is known regarding the education physicians receive pertaining to pregnancy risks respective to their specialties as well as departmental/institutional support for pregnancy loss or complication. Therefore, a survey was developed and distributed across multiple academic sites to ascertain if there is an inherent occupation-associated risk of pregnancy complication(s) and/or pregnancy loss for anesthesiologists (ANES) when compared to obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYN). METHODS: A specialty-specific survey was distributed electronically to attending ANES and OB/GYN, via departmental listservs at six participating academic medical centers. Responses were collected from March to October 2022 and included demographic information, practice characteristics, education about pregnancy risks and details of pregnancy complications and loss. The primary comparison between specialty groups was the occurrence of at least one pregnancy complication and/or loss. Logistic regression was used to evaluate specialty outcome associations. Additionally, complication rates and types between specialties were compared using univariate and multivariable models. RESULTS: The survey was distributed to 556 anesthesiology and 662 obstetrics-gynecology faculty members with 224 ANES and 168 OB/GYN respondents, yielding an overall 32.2% response rate. Of the survey respondents, 103 ANES and 116 OB/GYN reported at least one pregnancy. Demographics were similar between the two cohorts. ANES had higher gravidity and parity relative to OB/GYN and tended to be earlier in their career at first pregnancy (p = .008, <.001, and .043, respectively). The rate of any pregnancy complication, including loss, was similar between specialties (65.1% (67/103) vs. 65.5% (76/116), p = .942). Of the respondents reporting at least one pregnancy, 56.7% of ANES and 53.9% of OB/GYN experienced a complication while at work. Obstetrician-gynecologists had higher use of reproductive assistance (28% (47/116) vs. 11% (20/103), p < .001). There were no notable differences between cohorts for complications, prematurity, and neonatal intensive care admission. Forty-one percent (161/392) of total respondents recalled learning about occupational risks to pregnancy, and ANES were more likely than OB/GYN to have recalled learning about these risks (121/224 (54%) and 40/168 (23.8%), respectively, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: ANES and OB/GYN had similar risks for pregnancy complications and loss. Anesthesiologists were more likely to recall receiving education regarding occupational risk to pregnancy, though fewer than half of all survey respondents recalled learning about these risks. Our survey results are similar to the previously identified higher rate of pregnancy complications and loss in female physicians while uncovering areas of potential knowledge gaps for which institutions and practices could strive to improve upon. More research is needed to examine the relationship between occupation and pregnancy risk pertaining to female physicians with the goal being to identify modifiable risk factors.

Stellate ganglion block catheters for refractory electrical storm: a retrospective cohort and care pathway.

BACKGROUND: Electrical storm can be challenging to treat, requiring a multidisciplinary team to coordinate medical management and invasive procedures. As the stellate ganglion provides efferent sympathetic outflow to the myocardium, stellate ganglion blocks (SGB) can be used to combat ventricular arrhythmias that arise from sympathetic overactivity. Data are scarce regarding SGB catheters as a treatment for electrical storm. We reviewed our use of SGB catheters for refractory electrical storm using our pathway collaboratively developed by critical care, cardiology, and regional anesthesia teams. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent an SGB for electrical storm between January 2020 and April 2022 in our cardiovascular intensive care unit. The primary outcome was the sustained cessation of electrical storm for 24 hours. RESULTS: Upon chart review, 27 patients were identified and 11 met inclusion criteria. Cessation of electrical storm for 24 hours was achieved in 90% (n=10) of patients after left SGB. Similarly, 90% (n=10) had no documented episodes of ventricular arrhythmias requiring intervention within 6 hours after SGB. CONCLUSIONS: SGBs can interrupt or treat electrical storm. SGB catheters allow for prolonged arrhythmia cessation without repeated blocks and decrease the risk of repeat episodes of ventricular arrhythmias.

Preoperative Quadratus Lumborum Block Reduces Initial Postoperative Opioid Consumption Following Hip Arthroscopy: A Retrospective Analysis.

Compare postoperative opioid consumption following hip arthroscopy in patients who received a preoperative, lateral quadratus lumborum block versus those who did not. Patients were retrospectively identified. The primary outcome was postoperative opioid consumption (IV morphine milligram equivalents) in patients with and without a block. Comparisons between groups were conducted with Chi-square tests and Fisher Exact Tests where appropriate. Continuous data were compared with two-sided t-tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Data were collected on 100 patients. Mean (95% confidence interval) postoperative opioid consumption was reduced in patients with a quadratus lumborum block compared to those without a block (6.6 [5.2 - 8.1] vs 11.8 [10.2 - 13.4]; p < 0.0001; respectively). Eleven percent of patients with a preoperative quadratus lumborum block did not consume any opioids in the post anesthesia care unit. Opioid consumption in the immediate postoperative period was significantly reduced in patients that received a preoperative quadratus lumborum block. Level of Evidence: Level III - Retrospective Cohort Study. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 31(1):017-021, 2022).

Preoperative Quadratus Lumborum Block Reduces Opioid Requirements in the Immediate Postoperative Period Following Hip Arthroscopy: A Randomized, Blinded Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: To examine acute postoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy and randomized to either receive a preoperative lateral quadratus lumborum block or sham injection. METHODS: This trial randomized 46 subjects undergoing hip arthroscopy with a single surgeon to receive a preoperative lateral quadratus lumborum block (40 mL, ropivacaine 0.25%) or sham injection. The primary outcome was postoperative opioid consumption in patients with and without a block. All opioid medications were converted to morphine milligram equivalents for comparisons. Categorical data were compared with χ2 tests and Fisher exact tests where appropriate. Continuous data were compared with 2-sided t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. RESULTS: Forty-six subjects scheduled for elective hip arthroscopy were successfully consented and randomized. Demographic and clinical characteristics did not differ. Postoperative opioid consumption decreased 28.3% in patients who received a preoperative lateral quadratus lumborum block (P = .04). Total perioperative opioid consumption (intraoperative and postoperative combined) was reduced 20% in the block group; however, this did not achieve statistical significance (P = .05). Three subjects in the sham group (12.5%) required unblinding for a rescue block in the postoperative anesthetic care unit (PACU) for uncontrolled pain despite systemic analgesics. While cold sensation was decreased postoperatively over the abdomen (P < .001) and anterior thigh (P = .03) in the block group, other PACU variables did not differ, including VAS pain scores, motor function, side effects, PACU duration, and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Opioid consumption was reduced in patients who received a preoperative lateral quadratus lumborum block combined with a standardized, multimodal protocol as compared with patients who did not receive a block. Our findings support the growing evidence that quadratus lumborum blocks are an effective component of multimodal analgesia options for patients undergoing elective hip arthroscopy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, randomized controlled trial.

It Is Not Always the Epidural: A Case Report of Anterior Spinal Artery Ischemia in a Trauma Patient.

Motor vehicle collisions impact millions of people annually resulting in multiinjury trauma. Anesthesiologists are consulted for rib fracture analgesia to improve respiratory mechanics and prevent intubation. This report describes a trauma patient who developed hypotension and lower extremity weakness after epidural placement for multiple rib fractures. Initially, hypotension was attributed to neuraxial sympathectomy. However, physical examination also indicated anterior spinal artery ischemia. Regional anesthesia and acute pain teams must be able to both identify contraindications and complications of regional techniques and discern when complications are not a result of regional interventions to initiate prompt management and definitive care.

Deep Serratus Plane Catheter for Management of Acute Postthoracotomy Pain After Descending Aortic Aneurysm Repair in a Morbidly Obese Patient: A Case Report.

Regional procedures for postthoracotomy pain control have classically focused on paravertebral blocks and thoracic epidurals; however, these techniques may be challenging in an increasingly obese population and contraindicated with numerous anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents. While less studied, truncal blocks allow analgesic intervention for this growing patient cohort. This case report describes placement of a deep serratus anterior plane catheter in an intubated, morbidly obese patient with a lumbar drain who failed extubation secondary to acute postthoracotomy pain. The serratus plane catheter facilitated extubation and adequate analgesia without prohibiting anticoagulant use or interfering with the monitoring of spinal cord function.