International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Apr 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA randomized controlled trial using patient-controlled epidural analgesia with 0.25% versus 0.0625% bupivacaine in nulliparous labor: effect on analgesia requirement and maternal satisfaction.
The effect of epidural local anesthetic concentration on analgesic action is still the subject of debate. This study compared the effect of a four-fold change in concentration of bupivacaine for epidural analgesia in labor. ⋯ Larger volumes of more dilute solutions may result in dose sparing and provide more effective labor analgesia. This study supports the continued trend towards dilute local anesthetic mixtures for labor epidural analgesia.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Apr 2010
Comparative StudyConversion of regional to general anaesthesia at caesarean section: increasing the use of regional anaesthesia through continuous prospective audit.
Anaesthetic-related maternal deaths have largely been attributed to complications of general anaesthesia. In our unit a retrospective audit conducted between 1997 and 2002 showed a 9.4% conversion rate to general anaesthesia for caesarean sections amongst women with epidural catheters in-situ. The Royal College of Anaesthetists has stated that <3% of cases should need conversion to general anaesthesia. To improve our figures, from 2004 to 2007 we prospectively audited all caesarean sections requiring general anaesthesia. ⋯ Prospective audit has been associated with improved rates for neuraxial anaesthesia and reduced need for conversion to general anaesthesia in all but category-1 caesarean sections. The Royal College of Anaesthetists standards may need to be reviewed to become category-specific.