The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians
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J. Matern. Fetal. Neonatal. Med. · Feb 2011
Epidural analgesia during labor and incidence of cesarian section: prospective study.
For many years the opportunity of reducing the pain of birth through the administering of drugs (e.g. local anesthetics and opioids) into the epidural space has been known. Numerous studies have been conducted throughout the years to clarify whether the use of the epidural has resulted in a higher incidence of cesarean sections but it appears that this is due more to maternal-fetal factors than it is to the epidural. In this study, we have outlined the experience of the Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit of an Italian Children's Hospital in which approximately-2500 births take place every year and in which there is an active birth analgesia service which requires the presence of a dedicated anesthetist.
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J. Matern. Fetal. Neonatal. Med. · Feb 2011
Case ReportsThe use of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in a patient with H1N1 pneumonia.
A 32-year-old multigravida was admitted at 33.9 weeks with respiratory distress. Community-acquired pneumonia was suspected and antimicrobial treatment initiated with ceftriaxone sodium and azithromycin. ⋯ After failing conventional ventilation, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) was utilized. In pregnant patients who fail to respond to conventional ventilation techniques, HFOV should be considered.
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J. Matern. Fetal. Neonatal. Med. · Feb 2011
ReviewPostoperative pain control in the parturient: new challenges in the new millennium.
In the new millennium, the horizons of modern anesthesia practice continue to expand beyond the provision of surgical anesthesia to encompass areas outside of the operating room, including preoperative evaluation, labor analgesia, postanesthesia care, critical care and acute and chronic pain management. Adequate postoperative analgesia following caesarean delivery hastens ambulation, decreases maternal morbidity, improves patient outcome, and facilitates care of the newborn. ⋯ The number of options is large and the choice of the method of pain control is determined by drug availability, institutional protocols, individual preferences, available resources, and financial considerations. This article provides an overview of the currently available methods of post-cesarean analgesia.