Effect of lumbar epidural and caudal analgesia on the second stage of labor

BACKGROUND: Epidural analgesia is the most effective way of providing pain relief during labor.However, its effect on the second stage of labor is controversial.This study examined the effect of epidural analgesia combined with caudal analgesia on the second stage of labor. METHODS: Forty three multiparous women were divided into three groups, non-epidural group, epidural group and epidural with caudal group.Epidural analgesia was maintained with patient-controlled epidural analgesia (0.09375% ropivacaine with 0.0002% fentanyl) in both the epidural and epidural with caudal groups.The epidural with caudal group was injected with 0.09375% ropivacaine into the caudal epidural space after inserting the lumbar epidural catheter.The assessments made throughout labor included the visual analogue score (VAS), patient's satisfaction, motor block and duration of the second stage. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the patient's satisfaction, VAS and motor block between the epidural group and epidural with caudal group.There were no significant differences in the duration of the second stage between the non-epidural, epidural and epidural with caudal groups. No cesarean or instrumental deliveries were performed. CONCLUSIONS: Epidural with caudal analgesia offers no additional benefit during the second stage of labor.However, it carries no added risk on the maternal outcome.

Amniotic fluid embolism that took place during an emergent Cesarean section: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but fatal obstetric emergency, characterized by sudden cardiovascular collapse, dyspnea or respiratory arrest and altered mentality, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). It can lead to severe maternal morbidity and mortality, but the prediction of its occurrence and treatment are very difficult. We experienced a case of AFE during emergent Cesarean section in a 40(+6) weeks healthy pregnant woman, age 33. Sudden dyspnea, hypotension, signs of pulmonary edema and DIC were developed during Cesarean section, and cardiac arrest followed after these events. The course of these events was so rapid and catastrophic, which was consistent with AFE. Thus, we report this case precisely and review pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment of AFE by referring to up-to-date literatures.

Effect of epidural analgesia on cesarean section in nulliparous women

BACKGROUND: The effect of epidural analgesia for labor on obstetric outcome is controversial. The purpose of this study is evaluating the influence of epidural analgesia on cesarean section in nulliparous women. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 979 nulliparous women ASA graded I - II. EPI (n = 230) was received epidural analgesia with 0.2% ropivacaine and 75microgram fentanyl. N-EPI (n = 749) was received no epidural analgesia but nalbuphine 10 mg intramuscularly. We compared the rate and causes of cesarean section, instrumental delivery rate and fetal outcomes between EPI and N-EPI. RESULTS: Cesarean section rate was not different between the EPI (18%) and N-EPI (23%). Causes of cesarean section were progress failure (83% in EPI and 80% in N-EPI) and fetal distress (17% in EPI and 20% in N-EPI) and there were no differences between two groups. Instrumental delivery rate was higher in EPI (8%) than N-EPI (5%). Fetal outcome was not different between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Epidural analgesia did not increase cesarean section rate and did not influence on causes of cesarean section. But epidural analgesia increased the vacuum delivery rate.

The relationship between symphysis-fundal height and intravenous ephedrine dose in spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: A decreased lumbosacral subarachnoidal space volume is a major factor in the cephalad intrathecal spread of local anesthetics in term parturients and their subarachnoidal space is decreased due to the compressive effect of huge uteri. Therefore, they show a higher level of sensory block and hypotensive episodes. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the symphysis-fundal height (SFH) correlates with the highest sensory level and the amount of ephedrine administered under spinal anesthesia. METHODS: Fifty-two uncomplicated parturients who consented to spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section were studied. The SFH of all parturients had been measured just before the spinal anesthesia administered by one person. Hyperbaric bupivacaine with fentanyl 20 microgram, was administered for spinal anesthesia. The amount of 0.5% bupivacaine was adjusted according to the patient's height and weight. The level of sensory block and the amounts of ephedrine to treat hypotension, nausea and vomiting were assessed. Linear regression and correlation analysis were applied to analyze the data. RESULTS: According to the results of correlation analysis, there was no significant correlation between the level of sensory block and SFH. There were statistically significant positive correlations between the amount of ephedrine administered due to hypotension and SFH. CONCLUSIONS: In term parturients choosing elective cesarean section, the SFH is not correlated with the sensory level of spinal anesthesia, but is correlated with the amount of ephedrine administered during spinal anesthesia.

A Case of Colon Cancer Coexisting with Colonic Tuberculosis and This Presented as Bowel Perforation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Tuberculosis can involve any part of the body and there are case reports of tuberculosis coexisting with malignancy in most body organs. However, cases of intestinal tuberculosis associated with colon cancer have rarely reported. Inflammatory bowel diseases can progress to malignant diseases due to mucosal dysplastic change. Similarly, intestinal tuberculosis can cause chronic inflammation, but the exact relationship between intestinal tuberculosis and colon cancer is currently obscure. A 71-year-old woman visited our hospital because of abrupt right lower abdominal pain that progressed to rebound tenderness and abdominal rigidity. Abdominal computed tomography showed a polypoid mass in the cecum and a distended terminal ileum. Right hemicolectomy was performed and the surgical specimen revealed extremely well differentiated adenocarcinoma combined with intestinal tuberculosis and bowel perforation in the cecum. We report here on a rare case of colon cancer coexisting with colonic tuberculosis and this presented as bowel perforation. We also include a review of the relevant literature.