Cahiers d'anesthésiologie
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Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1994
Review[Emergency cesarean section: role of locoregional anesthesia].
Emergency cesarean section is sometimes required for acute fetal distress but also for some maternal vital emergencies. In spite of its maternal (Mendelson's syndrome, difficult intubation) and fetal (neonatal depression) risks, general anaesthesia was classically used. The arguments in favor of regional anaesthesia techniques for emergency cesarean section and the respective advantages of spinal and epidural anaesthesia are developed in this text. ⋯ In case of patchy or unilateral analgesia, it is particularly important to resite the catheter to avoid the need for emergency general anaesthesia to solve an inadequate epidural anaesthesia for cesarean section. Spinal anaesthesia is the technique of choice for its rapidity of action but its hemodynamic risks need a prior careful evaluation of maternal hemodynamics. General anaesthesia will be always indispensable in some cases; therefore, every anaesthetist should maintain sufficient experience and skills in the management of some of its complications, especially intubation difficulties.
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Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1994
[Unusual obstetrical situations: role of locoregional anesthesia].
Breech or twin delivery is a difficult obstetric situation in which both maternal and neonatal risks are increased and where the incidence of caesarean section and instrumental extraction is high. Epidural anaesthesia may worsen the obstetric situation especially if high doses of local anaesthetics are used resulting in a dense motor blockade. ⋯ Extension of the sensory block may be rapid, allowing obstetric intervention while maintaining maternal safety and comfort. For similar reasons and by using low dose techniques, epidural anaesthesia should not be anymore considered contra-indicated in the trial of labor after previous caesarean section.
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Epidural opiate administration is routinely used by many anaesthesiologists involved in obstetric anaesthesia. Epidural injection of a local anaesthetic combined with an opioid generates a more rapid onset of more profound analgesia with little motor blockade. Thus pain relief lasts longer than after either drug alone. ⋯ Sufentanil appears to induce a faster onset of more profound, long lasting analgesia with extremely low concentrations of bupivacaine than that with fentanyl. The reduction of the total amount of bupivacaine is correlated with a significant decrease in motor blockade and instrumental deliveries. There were no adverse maternal or fetal effects and umbilical cord levels were too low to be detected.
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Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1994
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial[Effects of ondansetron and metoclopramide on postoperative nausea and vomiting after epidural anesthesia in children].
We studied the preventive effect on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) of ondansetron, metoclopramide and placebo associated with epidural anaesthesia. Sixty children, ASA I or II, 4 to 12 yr old underwent surgery for inguinal hernia repair (n = 30) or orchidopexy (n = 30). Children were randomly assigned to a postinduction intravenous medication group, ondansetron (5 mg.m-2), metoclopramide (0,12 mg.kg-1) or a saline solution placebo. ⋯ The incidence of postoperative emesis in the metoclopramide group was 25%, whereas that of placebo group was 10%. The administration of ondansetron was associated with a lower (P = 0.017) incidence of postoperative vomiting if compared to the metoclopramide group. In conclusion ondansetron given preoperatively had proven to be an effective treatment for PONV after epidural block for lower abdominal surgery.
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Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1994
[Combined epidural and spinal anesthesia for cesarean section].
Combined spinal epidural block has proven its efficacy in skilled hands. This technique allies advantages of spinal anaesthesia, regarding its speed of action and intensity of motor blockade and advantages of postoperative epidural analgesia. ⋯ Local anaesthetics and additives are reviewed and commented. The two main complications, hypotension and post dural puncture headache can be contained in very low limits.