International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jan 2011
Case ReportsMaternal myasthenia gravis complicated by fetal arthrogryposis multiplex congenita.
We report the management of a 24-year-old primigravid woman who was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis at 20weeks of gestation. Maternal symptoms improved with therapeutic plasma exchange, steroids, immunoglobulin therapy and pyridostigmine. ⋯ The mother underwent thymectomy within five weeks of delivery. The implications of myasthenia gravis for both the mother and baby are discussed.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jan 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyLow-dose ketamine with multimodal postcesarean delivery analgesia: a randomized controlled trial.
Ketamine at subanesthetic doses has analgesic properties that have been shown to reduce postoperative pain and morphine consumption. We hypothesized that intravenous ketamine 10mg administered during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery, in addition to intrathecal morphine and intravenous ketorolac, would decrease the incidence of breakthrough pain and need for supplemental postoperative analgesia. ⋯ We found no additional postoperative analgesic benefit of low-dose ketamine during cesarean delivery in patients who received intrathecal morphine and intravenous ketorolac. Subjects who received ketamine reported lower pain scores 2weeks postpartum.
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Disconnection of the filter from its catheter is an established problem with epidural analgesia. Previously, it has been hypothesised that the screw cap connector is more prone to disconnection than the clamp connector design. The aim of this study was to test which of two mechanisms connecting the epidural catheter and filter was more prone to disconnection. ⋯ We conclude that the Portex connection system is more prone to disconnection and that connection design is an important consideration when trying to minimise catheter disconnection.
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Several previous publications demonstrate the significant haemodynamic effects of oxytocin in healthy pregnant women, but there is only one publication of the oxytocin effects in women with severe preeclampsia. We investigated the haemodynamic effects of oxytocin in women with severe preeclampsia using invasive haemodynamic monitoring. ⋯ The haemodynamic effects of oxytocin in women with severe preeclampsia may be less predictable compared to findings in healthy pregnant women, suggesting that oxytocin should be given with caution in women with severe preeclampsia.