Differential sensory block during labour epidural analgesia: a prospective observational study to investigate the relationship of lower and upper sensory block levels to cold, pinprick, and light touch.

PURPOSE: A zone of differential block to cold has been recently documented during labour epidural analgesia, with an upper sensory block level (USBL) and a lower sensory block level (LSBL). We aimed to determine the correlation between USBL and LSBL to cold and pinprick and sensory block level to light touch during labour epidural analgesia. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study in patients requesting labour epidural analgesia. We placed an epidural catheter at L2/L3 or L3/L4, followed by a programmed intermittent epidural bolus plus patient-controlled epidural analgesia regimen. We assessed the sensory block levels 140 min after administering the loading dose. The primary outcomes were the USBL and LSBL to cold and pinprick and the sensory block level to light touch. RESULTS: We studied 30 patients. The median [interquartile range (IQR)] USBL and LSBL to ice were T7 [T7-T6] and T9 [T10-T8], respectively. The median [IQR] USBL and LSBL to pinprick were T8 [T10-T6] and T10 [T12-T10], respectively. There was a strong correlation between USBL to ice and pinprick (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.57) and between LSBL to ice and pinprick (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.52). There was no significant correlation between sensory block level to light touch and either USBL or LSBL to ice or pinprick. CONCLUSION: We observed two sensory block levels to ice and pinprick. Further studies are required to understand if one modality-cold or pinprick-is superior to the other in assessing sensory block levels in this context. Light touch is unreliable as a modality of sensory block assessment during labour epidural analgesia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05187962); registered 12 January 2022.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Une zone de bloc différentiel de réaction au froid a récemment été documentée pendant l'analgésie péridurale obstétricale, avec un niveau de bloc sensoriel supérieur (USBL, pour upper sensory block level) et un niveau de bloc sensoriel inférieur (LSBL, pour lower sensory block level). Notre objectif était de déterminer la corrélation entre l'USBL et le LSBL au contact du froid et de la piqûre et le niveau de bloc sensoriel au toucher léger pendant l'analgésie péridurale obstétricale. MéTHODE: Nous avons mené une étude observationnelle prospective chez des patient·es demandant une analgésie péridurale obstétricale. Nous avons placé un cathéter péridural au niveau L2/L3 ou L3/L4, suivi d'une administration programmée de bolus périduraux plus un régime d'analgésie péridurale contrôlée par le/la patient·e. Nous avons évalué les niveaux de bloc sensoriel 140 min après l'administration de la dose de charge. Les critères d'évaluation principaux étaient l'USBL et le LSBL en réaction au froid et à la piqûre d'épingle et le niveau de bloc sensoriel en réaction au toucher léger. RéSULTATS: Nous avons étudié 30 patient·es. Les USBL et LSBL médians [écart interquartile (ÉIQ)] à la glace étaient situés au niveau T7 [T7-T6] et T9 [T10-T8], respectivement. Les USBL et LSBL médians [écart interquartile (ÉIQ)] à la piqûre étaient localisés au niveau T8 [T10­T6] et T10 [T12­T10], respectivement. Il y avait une forte corrélation entre l'USBL à la glace et à la piqûre (coefficient de corrélation de Spearman, 0,57) et entre le LSBL à la glace et à la piqûre (coefficient de corrélation de Spearman, 0,52). Il n'y avait pas de corrélation significative entre le niveau de bloc sensoriel en réaction au toucher léger et l'USBL ou le LSBL en réaction à la glace ou à la piqûre. CONCLUSION: Nous avons observé deux niveaux de bloc sensoriel à la glace et à la piqûre. D'autres études sont nécessaires pour comprendre si une modalité ­ le froid ou la piqûre ­ est supérieure à l'autre pour évaluer les niveaux de bloc sensoriel dans ce contexte. Le toucher léger n'est pas fiable en tant que modalité d'évaluation du bloc sensoriel pendant l'analgésie péridurale obstétricale. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05187962); enregistré le 12 janvier 2022.

Anesthetic management of patients with class 3 obesity undergoing elective Cesarean delivery: a single-centre historical cohort study.

PURPOSE: The preferred neuraxial anesthetic technique for patients with class 3 obesity undergoing elective Cesarean delivery is still under debate. We aimed to describe the anesthetic technique used in our tertiary institution across body mass index (BMI) groups and different surgical incisions. METHOD: In this historical cohort study, we reviewed medical records of patients with a BMI ≥ 40 kg·m-2 undergoing elective Cesarean delivery between July 2014 and December 2020. We collected data on patient characteristics, anesthetic and surgical technique, and procedural times. For data analysis, we stratified patients by BMI into three different groups: 40.0-49.9 kg·m-2, 50.0-59.9 kg·m-2, and ≥ 60.0 kg·m-2. RESULTS: We included 396 deliveries, distributed as follows: 258 with a BMI 40.0-49.9 kg·m-2, 112 with a BMI 50.0-59.9 kg·m-2, and 26 with a BMI ≥ 60.0 kg·m-2. For patients with a BMI 40.0-49.9 kg·m-2, the anesthetic technique of first choice was predominantly spinal anesthesia (71%), whereas for those with a BMI ≥ 60.0 kg·m-2, spinal anesthesia was never used as the anesthetic of first choice. With regard to the surgical incision, spinal anesthesia was almost exclusively used for patients undergoing Pfannenstiel incision and was rarely used for a higher supra- or infraumbilical transverse or midline incision. The overall incidence of general anesthesia was low (7/396, 1.8%). Anesthetic time, surgical time, and operating room time increased almost twofold in patients with a BMI ≥ 60.0 kg·m-2 compared with those with a BMI of 40.0-49.9 kg·m-2. CONCLUSION: Neuraxial anesthesia was successfully used in approximately 98% of patients with class 3 obesity undergoing elective Cesarean delivery. The choice of regional anesthesia technique varied with increasing BMI and with the planned surgical incision. Procedural times increased with increasing BMI. This information should prove useful for comparing anesthetic choices and outcomes in this challenging population.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: La technique d'anesthésie neuraxiale préférée pour les patientes atteintes d'obésité de classe 3 bénéficiant d'un accouchement par césarienne programmée n'a pas encore été déterminée. Nous avons cherché à décrire la technique d'anesthésie utilisée dans notre établissement d'enseignement supérieur à travers les groupes d'indice de masse corporelle (IMC) et les différentes incisions chirurgicales. MéTHODE: Dans cette étude de cohorte historique, nous avons examiné les dossiers médicaux de patientes ayant un IMC ≥ 40 kg·m­2 ayant bénéficié d'un accouchement par césarienne programmée entre juillet 2014 et décembre 2020. Nous avons recueilli des données sur les caractéristiques des patientes, la technique anesthésique et chirurgicale et les délais de procédure. Pour l'analyse des données, nous avons stratifié les patientes par IMC en trois groupes différents, soit : 40,0­49,9 kg·m­2, 50,0­59,9 kg·m­2, et ≥ 60,0 kg·m­2. RéSULTATS: Nous avons inclus 396 accouchements, répartis comme suit : 258 pour un IMC de 40,0 à 49,9 kg·m­2, 112 pour un IMC de 50,0 à 59,9 kg·m­2, et 26 pour un IMC ≥ 60,0 kg·m­2. Pour les patientes ayant un IMC de 40,0 à 49,9 kg·m­2, la technique anesthésique de premier choix était principalement la rachianesthésie (71 %), alors que pour celles dont l'IMC ≥ de 60,0 kg·m­2, la rachianesthésie n'a jamais été utilisée comme modalité anesthésique de premier choix. En ce qui concerne l'incision chirurgicale, la rachianesthésie était presque exclusivement utilisée pour les patientes bénéficiant d'une incision de Pfannenstiel et était rarement utilisée pour une incision transversale ou médiane supra- ou infra-ombilicale supérieure. L'incidence globale d'anesthésie générale était faible (7/396, 1,8 %). Le temps d'anesthésie, le temps chirurgical et le temps passé en salle d'opération ont presque doublé chez les patientes ayant un IMC ≥ 60,0 kg·m­2 par rapport à celles ayant un IMC de 40,0 à 49,9 kg·m­2. CONCLUSION: L'anesthésie neuraxiale a été utilisée avec succès chez environ 98 % des patientes atteintes d'obésité de classe 3 bénéficiant d'un accouchement par césarienne programmée. Le choix de la technique d'anesthésie régionale variait en fonction de l'augmentation de l'IMC et de l'incision chirurgicale prévue. Les temps procéduraux augmentaient avec l'augmentation de l'IMC. Ces informations devraient s'avérer utiles pour comparer les choix et les issues en matière d'anesthésie dans cette population difficile.

The relation between lifestyles and positive mental health in Portuguese higher education students.

Healthy lifestyles are commonly associated with improved physical and mental health. Sleep patterns, nutrition, physical exercise, consumption of psychoactive substances, among others, can strongly influence positive mental health. The aims are: characterize lifestyles based on positive mental health clusters, considering the cross-sectional cohort sample of higher education students, and analyse the lifestyles associated with positive mental health. A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational and multicentric study of quantitative approach was conducted. The Positive Mental Health Questionnaire was applied. Through the k-means method, four clusters were obtained based on positive mental health levels. The sample of 3647 higher education students was mostly female (78.8%), single (89.5%), with an average age of 23 years (SD = 6.68). Differences were found between clusters based on the sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyles. Findings in Cluster 1 were highlighted because they included students with a higher level of positive mental health, which was associated with greater satisfaction in affective relationships, higher recreational and sports activities, better sleep quality, a healthy diet, and lower medication and illicit drugs consumption. These key findings emphasize the promotion of healthy lifestyles and highlight the importance of positive mental health in promoting the health of higher education students.

Oxytocin at Elective Cesarean Delivery: A Dose-Finding Study in Pregnant People With Twin Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Multiple pregnancy is associated with higher risk of uterine atony, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), blood transfusion, hysterectomy, and death. The optimal dose of oxytocin at cesarean delivery in people with twin pregnancy is unknown. We sought to determine the effective bolus dose of oxytocin required to initiate adequate uterine tone in 90% of people (ED90) with twin pregnancy undergoing elective cesarean delivery. Our hypothesis was that the dose of oxytocin would be higher than 0.5 international units (IU) but lower than 5 IU. METHODS: A double-blind dose-finding study using the biased coin up-down method was undertaken in people with twin pregnancy ≥36 weeks gestational age undergoing elective cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia. Those with additional risk factors for PPH, apart from twin pregnancy, were excluded. Oxytocin was administered as an intravenous bolus over 1 minute on delivery of the second fetus. The first patient received 0.5 IU, and subsequent oxytocin doses were administered according to a sequential allocation scheme. The actual doses administered were 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 IU of oxytocin. The primary outcome was the response defined as the satisfactory uterine tone at 2 minutes after completion of administration of the oxytocin bolus, as assessed by the operating obstetrician. Secondary outcomes included need for rescue uterotonic drugs, adverse effects, and estimated blood loss. The ED90 was estimated using the Dixon-Mood and the isotonic regression methods. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included in study. The estimated ED90 of oxytocin was 4.38 IU (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.68-4.86 IU) and 3.41 IU (95% CI, 2.83-3.98 IU) by the isotonic regression and Dixon-Mood methods, respectively. Seven patients had inadequate tone at the 2-minute evaluation point and required rescue uterotonic drugs. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) estimated blood loss was 1031 mL (732-1462 mL) calculated by the change in 24-hour hematocrit. Incidence of hypotension after oxytocin administration was 27%, nausea 30%, and vomiting 17%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that people with twin pregnancy require a much higher dose of oxytocin than those with singleton pregnancies. We recommended people with twin pregnancies should receive an initial 5 IU bolus over at least 1 minute when undergoing elective cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia.

Larvicidal Effect of Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. Essential Oil Nanoemulsion on Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae).

Mosquitoes can be vectors of pathogens and transmit diseases to both animals and humans. Species of the genus Culex are part of the cycle of neglected diseases, especially Culex quinquefasciatus, which is an anthropophilic vector of lymphatic filariasis. Natural products can be an alternative to synthetic insecticides for vector control; however, the main issue is the poor water availability of some compounds from plant origin. In this context, nanoemulsions are kinetic stable delivery systems of great interest for lipophilic substances. The objective of this study was to investigate the larvicidal activity of the Hyptis suaveolens essential oil nanoemulsion on Cx. quinquefasciatus. The essential oil showed a predominance of monoterpenes with retention time (RT) lower than 15 min. The average size diameter of the emulsions (sorbitan monooleate/polysorbate 20) was ≤ 200 nm. The nanoemulsion showed high larvicidal activity in concentrations of 250 and 125 ppm. CL50 values were 102.41 (77.5253−149.14) ppm and 70.8105 (44.5282−109.811) ppm after 24 and 48 h, respectively. The mortality rate in the surfactant control was lower than 9%. Scanning micrograph images showed changes in the larvae's integument. This study achieved an active nanoemulsion on Cx. quinquefasciatus through a low-energy-input technique and without using potentially toxic organic solvents. Therefore, it expands the scope of possible applications of H. suaveolens essential oil in the production of high-added-value nanosystems for tropical disease vector control.

Color flow Doppler in spinal ultrasound: a novel technique for assessment of catheter position in labor epidurals.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound is commonly used to facilitate epidural catheter placement. However, data are lacking regarding its potential to confirm its position in the epidural space. Our aim was to visualize flow in the epidural space of patients receiving epidural analgesia for labor using color flow Doppler ultrasound. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study that included patients who had delivered vaginally under epidural analgesia. We used a 5-2 mHz curvilinear probe in a left and right paramedian longitudinal oblique view to visualize the anterior and posterior complex at the interspace of epidural catheter insertion, one and two interspaces above and below. At each window, the color flow Doppler function was used to visualize flow within the epidural space on injection of normal saline (1 mL). If no flow was visualized at any interspace, one assessment at the level of insertion was repeated with a 1 mL air/saline mixture. We studied a convenience sample size of 40 patients. RESULTS: We visualized flow in the epidural space in all 40 patients. Flow was visualized on injection of 1 mL of saline in 37/40 patients (93%). In the remaining 3/40 patients (7%), flow was visualized with an air/saline mixture. Flow on injection of saline was visualized only at the interspace of insertion in 26/37 patients (70%), at the interspace of insertion and one interspace above in 10/37 (27%), or only at one interspace above in 1/37 (3%). Flow was visualized only on the left or on the right paramedian view in 19/37 patients (51%), despite a symmetrical sensory block in all patients. CONCLUSION: Color flow Doppler ultrasound is a feasible and fast way to determine flow in the epidural space in the obstetric population. Its potential clinical uses are confirmation of the epidural catheter position after placement, as well as troubleshooting of unsatisfactory epidural analgesia. Interestingly, our results suggest that epidural catheters predominantly remain at the interspace of insertion. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05126745.

Changes in sensory block level during a programmed intermittent epidural bolus regimen for labour analgesia: a prospective observational cohort study.

PURPOSE: In the context of a programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) regimen for labour analgesia, one can identify an upper sensory block level (USBL), defined as the highest dermatome with any altered sensation to cold, and a lower sensory block level (LSBL), defined as the highest dermatome with complete sensory block to cold. This study investigated whether and how these sensory block levels vary within PIEB cycles. METHODS: We enrolled patients requesting epidural analgesia. An epidural catheter was placed at L2/L3 or L3/L4. A test dose of 3 mL of bupivacaine 0.125% with fentanyl 3.3 µg·mL-1 was administered, followed by 12 mL of the same solution as the loading dose. A PIEB plus patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) regimen was initiated 40 min after the loading dose, with bupivacaine 0.0625% with fentanyl 2 µg·mL-1: PIEB 10 mL, PIEB interval 40 min, PCEA 5 mL, lockout interval 10 min, maximum hourly 30 mL. As per institutional protocol, sensory block levels to ice were assessed 20 min after the loading dose and then hourly. Patients included in the study underwent eight extra assessments: immediately before the second and fourth PIEB and 10, 20, and 30 min after the second and third PIEB. RESULTS: We studied 30 patients. The USBL and LSBL achieved their peak value 100 min after the loading dose. The median [interquartile range] USBL was T8 [T9-T7] and T6 [T7-T4] 20 and 100 min after the loading dose, respectively; LSBL was T10 [T11-T6] and T8 [T9-T6], respectively. There was no significant variation in USBL or LSBL within the PIEB cycle between the second and the third or the third and the fourth PIEB. CONCLUSION: Once peak sensory block levels are established, there is no significant variation in the USBL and LSBL within the PIEB cycles. STUDY REGISTRATION: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov (NCT04716660); registered 21 January 2021.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Dans le contexte du schéma de bolus périduraux intermittents programmés (PIEB) pour l'analgésie du travail, on peut identifier un niveau de bloc sensoriel haut (USBL) défini comme étant le dermatome le plus haut ayant une quelconque modification de la sensation au froid et un niveau de bloc sensoriel bas (LSBL) défini comme étant le dermatome le plus haut ayant un bloc sensoriel complet au froid. Cette étude a cherché à savoir si et comment ces niveaux de blocs sensoriels varient au cours des cycles de PIEB. MéTHODES: Nous avons recruté des patientes demandant une analgésie péridurale. Un cathéter péridural a été placé au niveau L2/L3 ou au niveau L3/L4. Une dose test de 3 mL de bupivacaïne 0,125% avec fentanyl 3,3 µg·ml−1 était administrée, suivie de 12 mL de la même solution représentant la dose de base. Un protocole de PIEB plus analgésie péridurale contrôlée par la patiente (PCEA) a débuté 40 min après l'administration de la dose de base, comportant de la bupivacaïne 0,0625% et du fentanyl 2 µg·ml−1: PIEB 10 mL; intervalle de PIEB 40 min.; PCEA 5 ml; intervalle de verrouillage 10 min.; maximum par heure 30 mL. Conformément au protocole de l'établissement, les niveaux de bloc sensoriel à la glace ont été évalués 20 min après l'administration de la dose de base, puis toutes les heures. Les patientes incluses dans l'étude ont eu huit évaluations supplémentaires: immédiatement avant le deuxième et le quatrième PIEB et 10, 20 et 30 min après les deuxième et troisième PIEB. RéSULTATS: Nous avons étudié 30 patientes. L'USBL et le LSBL ont atteint leur valeur pic 100 min après l'administration de la dose de base. L'USBL médian [plage interquartile] était T8 [T9­T7] et T6 [T7­T4], respectivement 20 et 100 min après la dose de base; Le LSBL était, respectivement, T10 [T11­T6] et T8 [T9­T6]. Il n'y avait pas de variation significative de l'USBL ou du LSBL dans le cycle de PIEB entre le deuxième et le troisième ou le troisième et le quatrième PIEB. CONCLUSION: Une fois les niveaux maximums de blocs sensoriels établis, il n'y a pas de variation significative dans l'USBL et le LSBL dans les cycles de PIEB. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04716660); enregistrée le 21 janvier 2021.

Distance decay 2.0 - A global synthesis of taxonomic and functional turnover in ecological communities.

Aim: Understanding the variation in community composition and species abundances (i.e., ß-diversity) is at the heart of community ecology. A common approach to examine ß-diversity is to evaluate directional variation in community composition by measuring the decay in the similarity among pairs of communities along spatial or environmental distance. We provide the first global synthesis of taxonomic and functional distance decay along spatial and environmental distance by analysing 148 datasets comprising different types of organisms and environments. Location: Global. Time period: 1990 to present. Major taxa studied: From diatoms to mammals. Method: We measured the strength of the decay using ranked Mantel tests (Mantel r) and the rate of distance decay as the slope of an exponential fit using generalized linear models. We used null models to test whether functional similarity decays faster or slower than expected given the taxonomic decay along the spatial and environmental distance. We also unveiled the factors driving the rate of decay across the datasets, including latitude, spatial extent, realm and organismal features. Results: Taxonomic distance decay was stronger than functional distance decay along both spatial and environmental distance. Functional distance decay was random given the taxonomic distance decay. The rate of taxonomic and functional spatial distance decay was fastest in the datasets from mid-latitudes. Overall, datasets covering larger spatial extents showed a lower rate of decay along spatial distance but a higher rate of decay along environmental distance. Marine ecosystems had the slowest rate of decay along environmental distances. Main conclusions: In general, taxonomic distance decay is a useful tool for biogeographical research because it reflects dispersal-related factors in addition to species responses to climatic and environmental variables. Moreover, functional distance decay might be a cost-effective option for investigating community changes in heterogeneous environments.

Long-term complications of unintentional dural puncture during labor epidural analgesia: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Epidural analgesia is the preferred method to manage pain during labor and delivery. The insertion of the epidural catheter can be complicated by unintentional dural puncture that may result in postdural puncture headache. There is limited evidence on the long-term implications of this complication. We sought to investigate if women who sustained a dural puncture have a higher risk of developing chronic headache, low back pain and visual or auditory impairment. METHODS: We conducted a 1:1 case-control study with women who delivered at our institution from January 2015 to December 2019. Cases were women who received epidural analgesia and sustained an unintentional dural puncture, and controls were women who received epidural analgesia but did not sustain such complication. We matched cases and controls for date of delivery, age, and body mass index. All women completed an online survey with validated questionnaires for diagnosis of chronic headache and chronic back pain. We used dichotomic (yes/no) questions to look for the presence of chronic visual and auditory impairment. RESULTS: Sixty-three case-control pairs were studied. Women who sustained a dural puncture during their epidural catheter insertion had a higher risk of developing chronic headache (14.3%, vs 4.8%, p=0.057, adjusted OR (AOR): 3.67 (95% CI 1.05 to 12.82)) and chronic back pain (39.7% vs 19.1%, p=0.009, AOR: 2.67 (95% CI 1.25 to 5.72)) than women who did not sustain a dural puncture. The incidence of chronic auditory impairment was also higher in the dural puncture group (14.3% vs 1.6%, p=0.01, AOR: 9.98 (95% CI 1.21 to 82.62)). CONCLUSIONS: An unintentional dural puncture during epidural catheter insertion in parturients is associated with increased risk of chronic headache, back pain and auditory impairment.

Safer outcomes for placenta accreta spectrum disorders: A decade of quality improvement.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution and evaluation of protocol-based multidisciplinary quality improvement (QI) in women undergoing cesarean hysterectomy for radiologically suspected and pathologically confirmed placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted of all patients undergoing cesarean hysterectomy for PAS disorders between March 2009 and June 2018. Two distinct periods were defined to compare outcomes: 2009-2011 (initial period) and 2017-2018 (current period). Primary outcomes included blood loss and administration of blood products. Secondary outcomes included perioperative levels of hemoglobin, adverse events and complications, time to mobilization, and length of hospitalization. RESULTS: Among the 105 consecutive patients identified, there were 26 in the initial period and 32 in the current period. With the implementation of all QI care bundles, median estimated surgical blood loss halved from 2000 ml in the initial period to 1000 ml in the current period, and fewer patients required allogenic blood transfusion (61.5% vs 25%). Patients in the current period demonstrated improved postoperative levels of hemoglobin compared to those in the initial period (101 g/L vs 89 g/L) and had a shorter median postoperative hospital stay (3 days vs 5 days). CONCLUSION: These results support the implementation of a multifaceted QI and patient care initiative for women with PAS disorders.

Carbetocin versus oxytocin following vaginal and Cesarean delivery: a before-after study.

PURPOSE: A nationwide shortage of oxytocin in Canada resulted in a temporary switch from oxytocin to carbetocin for all postpartum women at our institution. This change offered a unique opportunity to conduct a pragmatic comparative assessment of the efficacy of carbetocin and oxytocin. METHODS: In a retrospective before-after study, we reviewed the medical records from 641 women in the carbetocin group and 752 women in the oxytocin group . The standard carbetocin dosing was 100 µg iv following vaginal and intrapartum Cesarean delivery, while for elective Cesarean delivery it was 50 µg, with an additional 50 µg if required. The standard oxytocin dosing was 5 IU iv followed by 2.4 IU·hr-1 for four to six hours after vaginal delivery, while for Cesarean delivery it was 1-3 IU iv, three minutes apart, up to 10 IU if required, followed by the same maintenance. In both modalities of delivery, if uterine tone was suboptimal, the maintenance dose of oxytocin could be increased to 4.8 IU·hr-1. In both groups, additional uterotonics were used as required. The primary outcome was the need for additional uterotonics. Secondary outcomes included estimated and calculated blood loss, the occurrence of postpartum hemorrhage, and the need for blood transfusion. RESULTS: The incidence of additional uterotonic use was not different between the carbetocin and oxytocin groups (12.0% vs 8.8%; P = 0.05; odds ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.97 to 2.00). The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage was higher in the carbetocin group than in the oxytocin group (10.3% vs 6.6%; P = 0.01). Blood transfusion was more common in the carbetocin group (1.4% vs 0.3%; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the use of additional uterotonics when carbetocin or oxytocin were used in a cohort of women undergoing vaginal deliveries and both elective and emergency Cesarean deliveries.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Une pénurie nationale d'ocytocine au Canada a entraîné l'utilisation temporaire de la carbétocine en remplacement de l'ocytocine pour toutes les femmes en post-partum dans notre établissement. Grâce à cette substitution, nous avons bénéficié d'une occasion unique de mener une évaluation comparative pragmatique de l'efficacité de la carbétocine et de l'ocytocine. MéTHODE: Dans une étude rétrospective avant-après, nous avons examiné les dossiers médicaux de 641 femmes dans le groupe carbétocine et de 752 femmes dans le groupe ocytocine. Le dosage standard de carbécotine était de 100 µg iv après un accouchement vaginal et pendant un accouchement par césarienne intrapartum, tandis que pour un accouchement par césarienne élective, le dosage était de 50 µg, avec 50 µg supplémentaires au besoin. Le dosage standard d'ocytocine était de 5 UI iv suivi de 2,4 UI·h-1 pendant quatre à six heures après un accouchement vaginal, tandis que pour un accouchement par césarienne, il était de 1 à 3 UI iv, à trois minutes d'intervalle, jusqu'à 10 UI au besoin, suivi du même dosage d'entretien. Dans les deux types d'accouchement, si le tonus utérin était sous-optimal, la dose d'entretien d'ocytocine pouvait être augmentée à 4,8 UI·h-1. Dans les deux groupes, des utérotoniques supplémentaires ont été utilisés au besoin. Le critère d'évaluation principal était le besoin d'utérotoniques supplémentaires. Les critères d'évaluation secondaires comprenaient la perte de sang estimée et calculée, la survenue d'une hémorragie du post-partum et la nécessité d'une transfusion sanguine. RéSULTATS: L'incidence d'utilisation d'utérotoniques supplémentaires n'était pas différente entre les groupes carbétocine et ocytocine (12,0 % vs 8,8 %; P = 0,05; rapport de cotes,1,39; intervalle de confiance à 95 %, 0,97 à 2,00). L'incidence d'hémorragie du post-partum était plus élevée dans le groupe carbétocine que dans le groupe ocytocine (10,3 % vs 6,6 %; P = 0,01). Les transfusions sanguines étaient plus fréquentes dans le groupe carbétocine (1,4 % vs 0,3 %; P = 0,02). CONCLUSION: Aucune différence dans l'utilisation d'utérotoniques supplémentaires n'a été observée lors de l'utilisation de carbétocine ou d'ocytocine dans une cohorte de femmes accouchant par voie vaginale ou par césarienne élective ou en urgence.

Programmed intermittent epidural bolus for labour analgesia: a randomized controlled trial comparing bolus delivery speeds of 125 mL·hr-1 versus 250 mL·hr-1.

PURPOSE: Programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) provides better analgesia for labour pain than continuous epidural infusion does. Nevertheless, commonly used PIEB regimens are associated with high sensory block. We hypothesized that a PIEB technique with slower bolus delivery speed would produce lower sensory levels. METHODS: We recruited term nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies during the first stage of labour. All participants had an American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status score of II-III, had epidural catheters placed at L3/4, and had epidural analgesia maintained with PIEB 10 mL every 40 min using 0.0625% bupivacaine with fentanyl 2 µg·mL-1. Women were randomized to receive PIEB delivered at 250 mL·hr-1 (G250) or 125 mL·hr-1 (G125). The study was completed six hours after the loading dose or at full cervical dilatation, whichever occurred first. The primary outcome was the presence of sensory block to ice ≥ T6 in at least one assessment during the study period (maximum six hours). RESULTS: We analyzed data from 90 women. The proportion of women presenting sensory block ≥ T6 at any time was not different between G125 and G250 groups (60.0% vs 64.4%; difference, -4.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -24.5 to 15.6; P = 0.66). The median [interquartile range] highest sensory block level was also not different between G125 and G250 groups (T6 [T7-T5] vs T5 [T7-T5], P = 0.39). Women in the G125 group had a lower incidence of hypotension than women in the G250 group did (11.1% vs 33.3%; difference, -22.2%; 95% CI, -38.8 to -5.67; P = 0.01). Quality of analgesia and patient satisfaction were not different between groups. CONCLUSION: The maintenance of epidural analgesia with a PIEB delivery speed of 125 mL·hr-1 did not produce lower sensory block levels when compared with 250 mL·hr-1. The slower injection speed regimen was associated with lower incidence of hypotension, but this secondary finding warrants confirmation in a future trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03236298); registered 1 August 2017.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'administration programmée intermittente de bolus périduraux (PIEB, pour programmed intermittent epidural bolus) fournit une meilleure analgésie pour la douleur du travail que l'analgésie péridurale par perfusion continue. Néanmoins, les régimes de PIEB couramment utilisés sont associés à un bloc sensoriel élevé. Nous avons émis l'hypothèse qu'une technique de PIEB avec une vitesse d'administration plus lente du bolus produirait des niveaux sensoriels inférieurs. MéTHODE: Nous avons recruté des femmes nullipares à terme ayant des grossesses uniques au cours de la première étape du travail obstétrical. Toutes les participantes avaient un score de statut physique II-III de l'American Society of Anesthesiologists, des cathéters périduraux placés au niveau L3/4 et une analgésie péridurale maintenue avec des PIEB de 10 mL de bupivacaïne 0,0625 % et de 2 µg·mL-1 de fentanyl, administrés toutes les 40 minutes. Les femmes ont été randomisées à recevoir des PIEB administrés à une vitesse de 250 mL·h-1 (G250) ou 125 mL·h-1 (G125). L'étude se terminait six heures après la dose de charge ou lors de la dilatation cervicale complète, selon la première éventualité. Le critère d'évaluation principal était la présence d'un bloc sensoriel à la glace ≥ T6 lors d'au moins une évaluation au cours de la période à l'étude (pour un maximum de six heures). RéSULTATS: Nous avons analysé les données de 90 femmes. La proportion de femmes présentant un bloc sensoriel ≥ T6 à tout moment n'était pas différente entre les groupes G125 et G250 (60,0 % vs 64,4 %; différence, -4,4 %; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, -24,5 à 15,6; P = 0,66). Le niveau médian [écart interquartile] le plus élevé de bloc sensoriel n'était pas non plus différent entre les groupes G125 et G250 (T6 [T7-T5] vs T5 [T7-T5], P = 0,39). Les femmes du groupe G125 avaient une incidence d'hypotension plus faible que les femmes du groupe G250 (11,1 % vs 33,3 %; différence, -22,2 %; IC 95 %, -38,8 à -5,67; P = 0,01). La qualité de l'analgésie et la satisfaction des patientes n'étaient pas différentes d'un groupe à l'autre. CONCLUSION: Le maintien de l'analgésie péridurale avec une vitesse d'administration des PIEB de 125 mL·h-1 n'a pas entraîné de taux de blocs sensoriels inférieurs par rapport à une vitesse de 250 mL·h-1. Le régime de vitesse d'injection plus lente a été associé à une incidence plus faible d'hypotension, mais cette constatation secondaire mérite d'être confirmée dans une étude future. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03236298); enregistrée le 1er août 2017.

Predicting pain after Cesarean delivery: pressure algometry, temporal summation, three-item questionnaire.

PURPOSE: Approximately one in five women will experience severe postoperative pain after Cesarean delivery (CD). Previously, a bedside three-item questionnaire (3-IQ) has shown to predict women experiencing higher evoked pain intensity after CD, with an area under the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve of 0.72. We hypothesized that the addition of psychophysical pain tests to the existing 3-IQ would improve the ability to predict severe pain in women undergoing elective CD under spinal anesthesia METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study on women undergoing elective CD under spinal anesthesia. Women were assessed preoperatively using the 3-IQ, pressure algometry (PA) and mechanical temporal summation (TS) response. All women received standard perioperative care, including a multimodal analgesia regimen that included intrathecal fentanyl and morphine. A 0-100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the severity of pain at rest (VASr) and on movement (VASm) at 24 and 48 hr after surgery. Patient satisfaction and opioid consumption were also recorded. We performed ROC curve analyses to assess whether we could improve the ability to predict our primary outcome of severe pain on movement at 24 hr (VASm24 ≥ 70). RESULTS: We studied 195 women. Median [interquartile range] VASm24 was 53 [32-72] and 28% of patients experienced a VASm24 ≥ 70. The ability to predict a VASm24 ≥ 70 assessed by the area under the ROC curve was 0.64 using the 3-IQ and 0.67 using the 3-IQ combined with TS and PA. CONCLUSION: The addition of PA and TS to the 3-IQ model resulted in a predictive model that performed similarly to the 3-IQ model alone. Further research is warranted in this area to better predict women at risk of severe pain post CD.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Environ une femme sur cinq souffrira de douleur postopératoire sévère après un accouchement par césarienne. Un questionnaire à trois critères (Q3C) administré au chevet de la patiente a déjà été utilisé pour prédire quelles femmes éprouveraient une intensité de douleur évoquée plus élevée après une césarienne, avec une aire sous la courbe ROC de 0,72. Nous avons émis l'hypothèse que l'ajout de tests psychophysiques de douleur au Q3C existant améliorerait notre capacité à prédire la douleur sévère chez les femmes bénéficiant d'une césarienne élective sous rachianesthésie. MéTHODE: Il s'agissait d'une étude de cohorte prospective auprès de femmes bénéficiant d'une césarienne élective sous rachianesthésie. Les femmes ont été évaluées en préopératoire à l'aide du Q3C, de l'algométrie par pression (AP) et de la réponse à une sommation temporale (ST) mécanique. Toutes les femmes ont bénéficié des soins périopératoires standard, ainsi que d'un régime d'analgésie multimodal incluant fentanyl et morphine intrathécaux. Une échelle visuelle analogique (EVA) de 0 à 100 mm a été utilisée pour évaluer la sévérité de la douleur au repos (EVAr) et en mouvement (EVAm) à 24 et 48 heures après la chirurgie. La satisfaction des patientes et la consommation d'opioïdes ont également été enregistrées. Nous avons effectué des analyses de la courbe ROC pour déterminer s'il nous était possible d'améliorer notre capacité à prédire notre critère d'évaluation principal, soit la douleur sévère à la mobilisation à 24 heures (EVAm24 ≥ 70). RéSULTATS: Nous avons étudié 195 femmes. L'EVAm 24 médiane [écart interquartile] était de 53 [32-72] et 28 % des patientes ont noté un score sur l'EVAm24 ≥ 70. La capacité à prédire un score sur l'EVAm24 ≥ 70 tel qu'évalué par la surface sous la courbe ROC était de 0,64 en utilisant le Q3C et de 0,67 en utilisant le Q3C combiné à la ST et l'AP. CONCLUSION: L'ajout de l'AP et de la ST au modèle de Q3C a résulté en un modèle prédictif présentant une performance similaire au modèle de Q3C seul. D'autres recherches sont nécessaires dans ce domaine pour mieux prédire les femmes à risque de douleur sévères après une césarienne.

Feasibility of ultrasound-assisted lumbar punctures performed by pediatric oncologists at the point of care.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound assistance improves success rates and reduces adverse outcomes of lumbar punctures (LPs) among adult patients in the emergency room and the operating room, but has not been evaluated in pediatric patients with cancer. Our objectives were (1) to determine whether pediatric oncologists could perform ultrasound-assisted LPs following a structured teaching curriculum, and (2) to determine the feasibility of recruiting pediatric cancer patients to a clinical trial of this procedure. METHODS: Three pediatric oncologists completed a curriculum composed of didactic teaching followed by hands-on workshops. Each learner was evaluated during 20 attempts at three ultrasound tasks using the cumulative sum method. The three pediatric oncologists then performed ultrasound assessments prior to routinely scheduled LPs. Feasibility was defined as ability to perform at least 30 ultrasound-assisted LPs within 6 months. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of successful, bloody, or traumatic LPs, time required, and perceived helpfulness of ultrasound. RESULTS: All three pediatric oncologists achieved competence in the three tasks of ultrasound scanning within 20 evaluated attempts. We recruited 62 patients within 1 month, and 58 underwent an ultrasound-assisted LP. All LPs were successful. Two LPs (4%) had ≥500 red blood cells (RBCs)/µl, and nine (16%) had ≥10 RBCs/µl. Median time to conduct the scan was 1.9 minutes (range 0.8-4.0 minutes). In 37 (64%) of the LPs, ultrasound assistance was considered helpful or very helpful. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric oncologists readily achieved competence in ultrasound-assisted LPs, and ultrasound was commonly perceived as helpful. It is feasible to proceed to a randomized trial of this procedure in pediatric cancer.

Programmed intermittent epidural bolus for labour analgesia during first stage of labour: a sequential allocation trial to determine the effective interval time between boluses of a fixed volume of 2.5 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% plus fentanyl 8 µg·mL-1.

PURPOSE: We studied the programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) time interval between boluses of 2.5 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% with fentanyl 8 µg·mL-1 to produce effective analgesia in 90% of women (EI90) during the first stage of labour. METHODS: In a double-blind sequential allocation trial using a biased coin up-and-down design to determine the EI90, the PIEB boluses of 2.5 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine plus fentanyl 8 µg·mL-1 were delivered at varying intervals-60, 50, 40, and 30 min. The primary outcome was the adequate response of the patient to the PIEB regimen, defined as no use of supplemental analgesia for six hours or until the first stage of labour was completed, whichever came first. The secondary outcomes were the upper sensory block level to ice, motor block and hypotension. The isotonic regression with extrapolation approach was used to estimate the EI90. RESULTS: In the 20 women studied, the estimated EI90 was 20 (95% CI, 5.9 to 28.8) min. For the secondary outcomes, we classified women into those assigned to 30 min (16 women) and those assigned to more than 30 min (four women). The median upper sensory block for women in the 30-min group and more than 30 min were T6 (or T5) and T7, respectively. No participants experienced motor block. Hypotension occurred in one patient in the 30-min group. CONCLUSION: The estimated EI90 for boluses of 2.5 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% with fentanyl 8 µg·mL-1 was 20 (95% CI, 5.9 to 28.8) min. These results suggest that there is no advantage in using this regimen compared with those reported in the literature using the same dose of bupivacaine in concentrations of 0.0625% and 0.125%. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03735771); registered 7 November 2018.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Nous avons étudié l'intervalle de temps d'administration programmée de bolus périduraux (PIEB) entre des bolus de 2,5 mL de bupivacaïne 0,25 % avec 8 µg·mL−1 de fentanyl nécessaire pour procurer une analgésie efficace chez 90 % des femmes (IE90) au cours du premier stade du travail obstétrical. MéTHODE: Dans une étude de répartition séquentielle à double insu utilisant une méthodologie de tirage au sort biaisé de haut en bas pour déterminer l'IE90, des bolus PIEB de 2,5 mL de bupivacaïne 0,25 % plus 8 µg·mL−1 fentanyl ont été administrés à des intervalles variables ­ 60, 50, 40 et 30 min. Le critère d'évaluation principal était une réponse adéquate de la patiente au régime de PIEB, définie comme aucun recours à une analgésie supplémentaire pendant six heures ou jusqu'à la fin du premier stade du travail, à la première condition obtenue. Les critères d'évaluation secondaires comportaient le niveau du bloc sensitif supérieur tel qu'établi par un test de glace, ainsi que la présence d'un bloc moteur et d'hypotension. Nous avons utilisé une méthode de régression isotonique avec une approche d'extrapolation pour estimer l'IE90. RéSULTATS: Chez les 20 femmes étudiées, l'IE90 estimé était de 20 (IC 95 %, 5,9 à 28,8) min. En ce qui touche aux critères d'évaluation secondaires, nous avons catégorisé les femmes selon qu'elles étaient assignées à recevoir un bolus aux 30 min (16 femmes) ou à des intervalles de plus de 30 min (quatre femmes). Le niveau du bloc sensitif supérieur médian pour les femmes dans le groupe 30 min et plus de 30 min se situait à T6 (ou T5) et T7, respectivement. Aucune participante n'a subi de bloc moteur. Une patiente dans le groupe à 30 min a subi un épisode d'hypotension. CONCLUSION: L'IE90 estimé pour les bolus de 2,5 mL de bupivacaïne 0,25 % avec 8 µg·mL−1 de fentanyl était de 20 (IC 95 %, 5,9 à 28,8) min. Ces résultats suggèrent qu'il n'y a aucun avantage à utiliser ce régime posologique plutôt que ceux rapportés dans la littérature utilisant une même dose de bupivacaïne à des concentrations de 0,0625 % et 0,125 %. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03735771); enregistrée le 7 novembre 2018.

Prophylactic Administration of Uterotonics to Prevent Postpartum Hemorrhage in Women Undergoing Cesarean Delivery for Arrest of Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether prophylactic administration of oxytocin plus ergonovine or oxytocin plus carboprost is more effective than oxytocin alone in reducing the need for additional uterotonics among women undergoing cesarean delivery for labor arrest. METHODS: In this double-blind, three-arm randomized controlled trial, participants were assigned to receive either oxytocin 5 units intravenous alone, or with ergonovine 0.25 mg intravenous or carboprost 0.25 mg intramuscular immediately after delivery, followed with maintenance infusion of oxytocin 40 milliunits/minute in all groups. Uterine tone was assessed at 3, 5, and 10 minutes after delivery, and additional uterotonics were administered if deemed necessary. The primary outcome was intraoperative need for additional uterotonics. Secondary outcomes included uterine tone, calculated blood loss, and side effects. A sample size of 34 per group (n=102), based on the null hypothesis that there is no association between treatment assignment and the need for additional uterotonics, permitted independent post hoc pairwise comparisons between oxytocin plus ergonovine, oxytocin plus carboprost, and oxytocin alone using an adjusted P-value of .025. The association between the need for additional uterotonics and treatment group was assessed using the χ2 test. RESULTS: From June 2013 through July 2019, 105 participants were randomized (35 per group) and data from 100 participants were analyzed: oxytocin (n=35), oxytocin plus ergonovine (n=33), and oxytocin plus carboprost (n=32). There was no difference in the requirement of additional intraoperative uterotonics across groups (oxytocin [37%] vs oxytocin plus ergonovine [33%] vs oxytocin plus carboprost [34%], P=.932). Uterine tone and calculated blood loss were similar across groups. Incidence of nausea or vomiting was higher in oxytocin plus ergonovine (85%; odds ratio [OR] 5.3, 95% CI 1.7-16.9, P=.003) and oxytocin plus carboprost (72%; OR 2.4, 95% CI 0.9-6.7, P=.086) compared with the oxytocin (51%) group. CONCLUSION: Compared with oxytocin alone, prophylactic use of a combination of uterotonic drugs did not reduce the need for additional uterotonics at cesarean delivery for labor arrest. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01869556.