Articles: analgesia.
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Although hypothermia has been reported during epidural anesthesia performed for nonobstetrical surgery or cesarean section, epidural analgesia for labor may lead to hyperthermia. Its incidence, time-course and intensity are influenced by multiple factors including site of measurement, duration of labor preceding epidural analgesia and perhaps ambient temperature and occurrence of shivering. During the first 2-5 h of epidural analgesia, a significant increase in temperature is not usually observed. ⋯ However, fetal tachycardia may occur and the potential for a deleterious effect on the fetus remains controversial. Various measures for cooling the mother have been proposed but their efficacy has not been evaluated. The recognition that epidural analgesia may provoke hyperthermia may help to avoid inappropriate use of antibiotics or fetal extraction.
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A case of atypical headache presenting following otherwise unremarkable epidural analgesia in labour is presented. Although there was no suggestion of accidental dural puncture during insertion of the epidural catheter, and despite the unusual features of the headache and complicated case history, an epidural blood patch was performed 13 weeks post-partum, with improvement of the patient's symptoms. A repeat epidural blood patch 2 weeks later completely resolved her headache.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jan 1997
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialPerioperative analgesia for caesarean section: comparison of intrathecal morphine and fentanyl alone or in combination.
In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial we compared perioperative pain relief using different intrathecal opioid regimens given with bupivacaine during spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section. One hundred and sixteen patients undergoing elective caesarean section were divided into four groups (A, B, C, D) of 29 patients each. In addition to hyperbaric bupivacaine (12-14 mg), group A received 1 ml of normal saline, group B 25 microg of fentanyl, group C 100 microg of morphine, and group D received both fentanyl 25 microg and morphine 100 microg intrathecally. ⋯ The use of the opioids in association, however, was found to increase the incidence of side-effects. The quality of postoperative analgesia with fentanyl, when used alone, was found to be inferior to that with morphine. The combination of opioids offered no advantage over morphine alone.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 1997
Case ReportsRespiratory depression following epidural morphine in an infant of three months of age.
Epidural administration of combinations of opioids and a local anaesthetic provides prompt and effective analgesia and is increasingly used in paediatric anaesthesia. However, respiratory depression by rostral spread of opioid in the CSF is by far the greatest concern after epidural morphine. An infant of three months of age underwent portoenterostomy (Kasai's operation) for extrahepatic biliary duct atresia. ⋯ Low arterial saturation (SpO2) was detected by pulse oximetry and confirmed by blood gas analysis. An intravenous bolus of 5 micrograms.kg-1 naloxone followed by a 3-h infusion of 2 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 resulted in complete reversal of signs and symptoms of respiratory depression. Epidural opioids should be limited to paediatric patients admitted to specialized recovery units for the first postoperative day.