International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jan 1999
The occupational exposure of midwives to nitrous oxide - a comparison between two labour suites.
The study of midwives' occupational exposure to nitrous oxide in a poorly ventilated maternity unit in 1992 was instrumental in ensuring that the replacement building had Department of Health approved ventilation. We have repeated the study in the new unit. ⋯ This difference was significant amongst those midwives who spent a greater time looking after women using Entonox and thus were more at risk from its detrimental effects. We discuss these findings and the ramifications for other maternity units under the new COSHH regulations.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jan 1999
Administration of drugs outside of Product Licence: awareness and current practice.
An interactive audience response system was used to collect information from members of the Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association at the 1997 Annual Meeting about the drug use that is unsupported by the Product Licence. The responses confirm that both licensed and unlicensed drugs are widely used in clinical practice outside the limitations imposed by Product Licence. ⋯ A majority of audience members expressed a view that the OAA should play a pro-active role, either by polling members about their current practice, or by issuing guidelines on reasonable drug practice in obstetric anaesthesia, or both. Potential implications of these are discussed.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jan 1999
Long-term neurological complication following traumatic damage to the spinal cord with a 25 gauge whitacre spinal needle.
Neurological complications following regional anaesthesia may arise due to compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots secondary to haematoma or abscess, trauma, neurotoxicity or ischaemia. We report a patient who developed prolonged left lower limb paresis following combined spinal epidural (CSE) anaesthesia for emergency caesarean section. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed marked swelling of the lower end of the spinal cord suggesting traumatic damage of the cord by the spinal needle.