Utilization of red blood cell transfusion in an obstetric setting.

The transfusion experience for a 1-year period (September 1985 to August 1986) at a tertiary referral obstetric hospital was reviewed retrospectively. During the review period 7731 mothers were delivered and 6003 patients (83%) underwent type-and-screen procedures. A total of 1057 units of red blood cells were crossmatched, and 362 of these 1057 units were transfused to 100 parturient women so that the overall crossmatch/transfusion ratio was 2.9:1. Five percent of transfused patients received 1 unit; 52% of patients received 2 units, 19% received 3 units and 24% received greater than or equal to 4 units of packed red blood cells. Major indications for transfusion were uterine atony, 27%; retained placenta, 17%; trauma, 17%, placenta previa, 7%; and abruptio placentae, 5%. In 12% of patients transfusions were done because of anemia. This study shows the value of audit and confirms that the type-and-screen procedure is an effective way of reducing the crossmatch/transfusion ratio without compromising patient care, even in high-risk patients.

Anaesthetic management of patients with placenta accreta.

The management of a 28-year-old primigravida with placenta accreta diagnosed during Caesarean section is described. A hysterectomy was required to control massive haemorrhage, and the patient made a full recovery. The increased incidence of placenta accreta over the last three decades is thought to be associated with the concomitant increased frequency of Caesarean section, resulting in an increased incidence of placenta praevia (1.9 per cent to 3.9 per cent). Patients with placenta praevia who have had a previous Caesarean section have a remarkably increased risk of placenta accreta. Management of placenta accreta is primarily by control of haemorrhage on delivery of the placenta. Control can be assisted by infrarenal cross-clamping of the aorta and/or intra-myometrial injection of prostaglandin F2 alpha which produces myometrial and vascular contraction. Identification of patients at increased risk, preparation for treatment and effective treatment of placenta accreta will minimize maternal morbidity and mortality.

Epidural sufentanil for post-caesarean section analgesia: lack of benefit of epinephrine.

Epidural sufentanil was administered to 57 women after Caesarean section, under epidural anaesthesia, to provide postoperative analgesia. Each patient received a 30 micrograms dose at the first complaint of pain and this dose was repeated when pain recurred. Epinephrine (1:200,000) was added to the local anaesthetic, sufentanil, both, or neither. The time of onset of analgesia, efficacy, duration of analgesia and the incidence of side-effects were recorded. This dose of epidural sufentanil provided satisfactory postoperative analgesia and no serious side-effects were observed. The onset of analgesia was rapid (4-6 min), but the duration of action was brief (4-5 hr). The addition of 1:200,000 epinephrine had no statistically significant influence on any of the measured variables. Pruritus occurred commonly but never required treatment. Drowsiness was experienced frequently and was felt by some patients to inhibit their interaction with their neonates. Respiratory depression, as defined by a respiratory rate less than 10 bpm, was not observed. A number of patients noted a transient period of euphoria 5-8 min after administration of the epidural sufentanil. The authors feel that epidural sufentanil provides satisfactory analgesia after Caesarean section, but the brief duration of action and the high incidence of drowsiness limit its acceptability for routine use in obstetric patients.