Epidural Labor Analgesia-Fentanyl Dose and Breastfeeding Success: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is an important public health concern. High cumulative doses of epidural fentanyl administered for labor analgesia have been reported to be associated with early termination of breastfeeding. We tested the hypothesis that breastfeeding success is adversely influenced by the cumulative epidural fentanyl dose administered for labor analgesia. METHODS: The study was a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of parous women at greater than 38 weeks gestation who planned to breastfeed, had successfully breastfed a prior infant, and who received neuraxial labor analgesia. Participants were randomized to receive one of three epidural maintenance solutions for labor analgesia (bupivacaine 1 mg/ml, bupivacaine 0.8 mg/ml with fentanyl 1 µg/ml, or bupivacaine 0.625 mg/ml with fentanyl 2 µg/ml). The primary outcome was the proportion of women breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum. Maternal and umbilical venous blood fentanyl and bupivacaine concentration at delivery were measured. RESULTS: A total of 345 women were randomized and 305 had complete data for analysis. The frequency of breastfeeding at 6 weeks was 97, 98, and 94% in the groups receiving epidural fentanyl 0, 1, and 2 µg/ml, respectively (P = 0.34). The cumulative fentanyl dose (difference: 37 µg [95% CI of the difference, -58 to 79 µg], P = 0.28) and maternal and umbilical cord venous fentanyl and bupivacaine concentrations did not differ between women who discontinued breastfeeding and those who were still breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: Labor epidural solutions containing fentanyl concentrations as high as 2 µg/ml do not appear to influence breastfeeding rates at 6 weeks postpartum.

Prior lumbar discectomy surgery does not alter the efficacy of neuraxial labor analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar discectomy surgery is a common neurosurgical procedure. Neuraxial labor analgesia may be less effective in parturients with a history of discectomy surgery because of postsurgical scarring and anatomical distortion. In this prospective observational case-controlled study, we compared bupivacaine consumption per hour of labor analgesia as an indirect measure of labor analgesic effectiveness between women with prior discectomy surgery and those who did not have back surgery. METHODS: All women with prior discectomy surgery who requested neuraxial labor analgesia at a high-volume, single university-affiliated women's hospital during the study period were approached. Control subjects were matched for anesthesiologist skill level. The primary outcome was bupivacaine consumption per hour of labor analgesia. Characteristics associated with the epidural catheter placement including the number of interspaces attempted, time to placement, and number of epidural catheters replaced for inadequate analgesia were recorded. Subject characteristics, labor outcomes, and analgesia outcomes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon ranked sum or Fisher exact test. Epidural placement data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank, McNemar's, or sign test. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 42 women in the discectomy group and 42 women in the control group. Bupivacaine consumption per hour of labor analgesia was not different between groups (median [interquartile range, IQR]: discectomy 12.7 mg/h [11.0 to 15.3] and control 13.2 mg/h [11.3 to 15.7]; difference in medians [95% confidence interval, CI]: -0.55 mg/h [-1.33 to 1.39]; P = 0.43). The interval from initiation of neuraxial analgesia and delivery and mode of delivery did not differ between groups. The median difference (95% CI) in the time to place the epidural catheter between the discectomy and control subjects was 0 minute (-1 to 2.5); P = 0.38. More than 1 interspace was attempted in 17% discectomy in comparison with 2% of the control subjects-difference (95% CI) 15% (2-26); P = 0.03. The neuraxial technique and estimated level of catheter placement did not differ. Completion of the procedure by a more senior anesthesiologist occurred in 3 discectomy subjects and 2 control subjects (P = 1.0). No epidural catheters were replaced. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in hourly bupivacaine consumption in parturients with prior lumbar discectomy surgery undergoing neuraxial labor analgesia in comparison with controls. Time to placement of the epidural catheter was not different either, but more interspaces were attempted in the discectomy group. Our findings suggest that standard clinical neuraxial analgesic methods are effective in women with discectomy surgery.

Complications of open compared to minimally invasive lumbar spine decompression.

Minimally invasive modalities have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of neurogenic claudication. Direct comparisons, however, between complication rates of these newer techniques with open surgical techniques for lumbar decompression are lacking. This single-institution study examined neurogenic claudicants between August 2007 and June 2009. A total of 26 patients received open surgical decompression, and 23 patients microendoscopic decompression. Baseline demographic characteristics, peri-operative morbidity and mortality, length of hospital stay, and final disposition following hospitalization were recorded. Morbidity was divided into major and minor categories as defined by degree of requisite intervention and adverse impact on hospital stay. Average age, number of surgical levels, and pre-operative American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Index scores were similar in each group (p>0.05). While minimally invasive surgery may be associated with slightly longer operative times, there is decreased blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and likely decreased requirements for ancillary support services upon discharge.

Development and Evaluation of an Internet-Based Airway Evaluation Tutorial.

Airway evaluation and basic management are essential skills for all physicians. Identifying patients for whom mask ventilation or endotracheal intubation will be difficult to impossible is vital for patient safety. Despite this, training in airway evaluation is minimal in the curricula of most medical schools. To ensure a thorough understanding of airway anatomy and evaluation, as well as exposure to various abnormal findings, we developed an Internet-based module including interactive components, graphics, animation, video, and a self-assessment tool. The site received more than 1800 visits in its first nine months of operation, with uniformly laudatory comments. Eighty subjects over a six-month period completed a pre- and post-test quiz structured to evaluate the utility of the site. Of those completing the on-line survey, more than 76% rated the site very useful. Most felt their knowledge of airway examination improved after completion of the site (p.