International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Nov 2017
Review Meta AnalysisIntrathecal clonidine as an adjuvant for neuraxial anaesthesia during caesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials.
Clonidine is used as adjuvant to local anaesthetics for spinal anaesthesia. Its potential harm and benefits have not been systematically reviewed in obstetrics, and medical regulatory authorities do not recommend its intrathecal administration. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of intrathecal clonidine for caesarean delivery. ⋯ Clonidine is an effective and safe adjuvant to local anaesthetics for spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery. This opens the debate as to whether intrathecal clonidine as an "off label" prescription should be reconsidered by medical regulatory authorities.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Nov 2017
Case ReportsIntrathecal hematoma and arachnoiditis mimicking bacterial meningitis after an epidural blood patch.
We present a case of arachnoiditis and an intrathecal hematoma after an epidural blood patch. A 24-year-old parturient underwent an epidural blood patch three days after an accidental dural puncture during epidural labor analgesia. ⋯ Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging was performed and showed an intrathecal hematoma, with no blood in the epidural space. This report briefly reviews the few cases in the literature of arachnoiditis caused by an intrathecal hematoma and discusses the mechanism which resulted in blood in the subarachnoid space.