International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Apr 2005
Maternal and fetal outcome of anaesthesia for caesarean delivery in preeclampsia/eclampsia in Enugu, Nigeria: a retrospective observational study.
Maternal mortality, for which preeclampsia is a major cause, is a problem in Nigeria. Accurate data are available for caesarean sections in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. We therefore studied the outcome of caesarean section among these high-risk patients. ⋯ Maternal and fetal mortality were high. Poverty, late presentation, lack of equipment and inexperienced management were major contributory factors. Use of spinal anaesthesia should be encouraged in view of recent favourable reviews and cheaper cost.
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We present the case of a 29-year-old female who in her third pregnancy developed seizures seven days postpartum. The only symptoms preceding the seizures were headache and visual disturbance. ⋯ All symptoms resolved within 24 h of the first seizure. In this case report we highlight the difficulties in establishing the cause of postpartum seizures.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Apr 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of continuous background infusion plus demand dose and demand-only parturient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) using ropivacaine combined with sufentanil for labor and delivery.
Using ropivacaine combined with sufentanil, we determined the analgesic efficacy of parturient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with or without (demand-only PCEA) continuous background infusion in reducing labor pain in 66 parturients. ⋯ Under the conditions of the study, PCEA plus continuous background infusion was more effective than demand-only PCEA in treating labor pain without increasing consumption of anesthetic solution.
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With the advent of low-dose epidural analgesia in labour, the content of the test dose has once again become the subject of debate. ⋯ There is no consensus about the nature of the ideal test dose in obstetric anaesthesia. There is a trend to use less concentrated test doses during labour. Doses that risk a high block if given spinally are still used. Epinephrine, aspiration testing and cardiovascular monitoring are uncommon.