Decreased neonatal pain response after vaginal-operative delivery with Kiwi OmniCup versus metal ventouse.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal delivery, especially operative assisted vaginal delivery, seems to be a major stressor for the neonate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the stress response after metal cup versus Kiwi Omnicup® ventouse delivery. METHODS: The study was a secondary observational analysis of data from a former prospective randomised placebo controlled multicentre study on the analgesic effect of acetaminophen in neonates after operative vaginal delivery and took place at three Swiss tertiary hospitals. Healthy pregnant women ≥35 weeks of gestation with an estimated fetal birth weight above 2000 g were recruited after admission to the labour ward. Pain reaction was analysed by pain expression score EDIN scale (Échelle Douleur Inconfort Nouveau-Né, neonatal pain and discomfort scale) directly after delivery. For measurement of the biochemical stress response, salivary cortisol as well as the Bernese Pain Scale of Newborns (BPSN) were evaluated before and after an acute pain stimulus (the standard heel prick for metabolic testing (Guthrie test)) at 48-72 h. RESULTS: Infants born by vaginal operative delivery displayed a lower pain response after plastic cup than metal cup ventouse delivery (p < 0.001), but the pain response was generally lower than expected and they recovered fully within 72 h. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal pain response is slightly reduced after use of Kiwi OmniCup® versus metal cup ventouse. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial was registered under under NCT00488540 on 19th June 2007.

[Existential questions prior to elective surgery. Survey in a preoperative anesthesia consultation service]. / Existenzielle Fragen vor einer elektiven Operation. Patientenbefragung in einer präoperativen Anästhesiesprechstunde.

BACKGROUND: Existential questions concerning the limitation of treatment must be answered when a major complication occurs after an elective operation. In these situations, the patient himself/herself cannot be asked about his/her will. Therefore, medical professionals must attempt to determine the patient's presumed will either through an existing advance directive (AD) or by consulting with the patient's relatives. Only one-fifth of all patients create an AD in advance, and the relatives cannot always reliably reproduce the patient's presumed will. Thus, it is important to talk about issues such as do-not-resuscitate before a patient undergoes elective major surgery. However, such discussions may unsettle and frighten the patient. This study aimed to determine if patients are willing to talk about difficult questions such as resuscitation before major surgery. How many patients create an AD? Who should decide when patients themselves are no longer capable? OBJECTIVES: Between March 1 and October 30, 2014, patients who attended the preoperative anaesthesia consultation service received a one-page questionnaire. In addition to a few personal questions (e.g. sex, age, surgery, health status), the questionnaire included four questions that could be answered according to a four-point Likert scale, with a yes or no response, or a with a selection of answers. RESULTS: 272 men (45.5%) and 321 women (53.7%) with a mean age of 52.9 years (standard deviation: 17.8 years) completed a questionnaire. 312 patients (52.2%) claimed to be healthy, while 116 patients (19.4%) observed a minimal health restriction. 125 patients (19.4%) suffered from a chronic illness that markedly (n = 108) or strongly (n = 17) limited daily life. More than three-fourths of the respondents were very ready (377/63.0%) or ready (79 patients/13.2%) to talk about the treatment of severe complications after an elective operation. 12.7% of the patients would rather not to talk about this topic (n = 47) or refused (n = 37). 58 patients (9.7%) checked the box "I do not know" or gave no answer. There was no significant difference between men and women (p = 0.58). The patient's state of health did not significantly affect the patient's willingness to talk (p = 0.61). 110 patients (18.4%) had already completed an AD. The probability of having an AD is highly dependent on the age and state of health. The likelihood of having one increases by 4% for each year of life, and in health-impaired patients it is 73% higher than in healthy ones. If the patient could no longer decide for himself/herself, the following options were selected from multiple possible answers: a relative decides (n = 272), discussing this with a physician prior to surgery (n = 212), previously created AD (n = 198), the treatment team decides (n = 28), I do not know/not (n = 48). CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of the respondents were willing to talk about difficult issues before an operation, it remains unclear to what extent these results can be generalized. However, the results justify efforts to carefully inquire about and document the will of sick patients prior to major surgery. Both the treatment team and the relatives are relieved if the patient's will is known when difficult decisions have to be made.