International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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We report a novel circumstance of brachial plexus anesthesia in a parturient. A 25-year-old woman at 34 weeks of gestation presented with a pathologic proximal right humerus fracture from an intramedullary mass. She was scheduled for tumor biopsy which was performed using a two-site ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block to maximize odds of complete anesthesia while minimizing the risk of phrenic nerve paresis. ⋯ In the post-anesthesia care unit, she had normal respirations and oxygen saturations breathing room air, denied any shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, and was discharged shortly after her arrival. While we did not pursue radiologic examination to rule out hemidiaphragm paralysis, we assumed, as evidenced in a previous case report, that unlike most healthy patients, a parturient would demonstrate some clinical signs and/or symptoms of hemidiaphragm paralysis, given that the diaphragm is almost totally responsible for inspiration in the term parturient. This represents only the second brachial plexus block in a parturient reported in the literature; the first using ultrasound guidance and without respiratory embarrassment.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · May 2014
Preferred spoken language mediates differences in neuraxial labor analgesia utilization among racial and ethnic groups.
The aims of this study were to assess racial/ethnic disparities for neuraxial labor analgesia utilization and to determine if preferred spoken language mediates the association between race/ethnicity and neuraxial labor analgesia utilization. ⋯ This study provides evidence that preferred spoken language mediates the relationship between Hispanic ethnicity and neuraxial labor analgesia utilization.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · May 2014
Case ReportsSciatic nerve ischaemia after iliac artery occlusion balloon catheter placement for placenta percreta.
Placenta percreta is a complex obstetric condition and a cause of life-threatening peripartum haemorrhage. National guidelines advise preoperative placement of internal iliac artery occlusion balloon catheters in such cases to reduce haemorrhage, avoid caesarean hysterectomy and preserve fertility. ⋯ Presentation of ischaemic nerve injury attributable to iliac artery thrombosis secondary to the presence of an occlusion balloon catheter is as yet unreported. Awareness of this possible complication and local unit guidelines may allow early detection and treatment.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · May 2014
Case ReportsAnesthetic considerations in a parturient with Oral-Facial-Digital syndrome and repaired tetralogy of Fallot with left ventricular dysfunction.
Oral-Facial-Digital syndrome or Mohr syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by malformations of face, oral cavity, laryngeal structures, trachea, and digits, muscular-skeletal abnormalities, and congenital cardiac defects. In this case report, we describe the anesthetic management of a parturient with Oral-Facial-Digital syndrome type II and repaired tetralogy of Fallot with left ventricular dysfunction.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · May 2014
CommentAll patients with a postdural puncture headache should receive an epidural blood patch.
Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is an important complication of obstetric epidural anaesthesia and analgesia. Though often self-limiting, PDPH is unpleasant, at times incapacitating, and associated with complications, some of which are serious. ⋯ The epidural blood patch (EBP) has been used for PDPH treatment for over 50 years.(1) It is probably the most efficacious of therapies, although this is unproven, and plays an important part in the management of this condition.(2) However, PDPH is often complex, of variable severity and duration, and merits a cautious and individualized approach to its diagnosis and treatment. An EBP may be part of that treatment but administering it to all women with PDPH is not the optimal management approach.