Effects of Combined Spinal-Epidural Analgesia during Labor on Postpartum Electrophysiological Function of Maternal Pelvic Floor Muscle: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Combined spinal-epidural analgesia (CSEA) is sometimes used for difficult births, but whether it contributes to postpartum pelvic muscle disorder is unclear. This randomized controlled trial examined whether CSEA given during labor affects the electrophysiological index of postpartum pelvic floor muscle function. METHODS: A consecutive sample of primiparous women who delivered vaginally at term were randomly assigned to a CSEA group (n = 143) and control group (n = 142) between June 2013 and June 2014. All were assessed 6-8 weeks later for electrophysiological function of pelvic floor muscle. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in the degree of muscle strength, muscle fatigue, and pelvic dynamic pressure of pelvic floor muscle. The CSEA and control groups showed similar proportions of women with normal muscle strength (score ≥4) in type I pelvic fibers (23.1% vs. 14.1%, P = 0.051) and type II pelvic fibers (28.0% vs. 24.6%, P = 0.524). The groups also contained similar proportions of women who showed no fatigue in type I fibers (54.5% vs. 48.6%, P = 0.315) or type II fibers (88.8% vs. 87.3%, P = 0.699). Similarly low proportions of women in the CSEA group and control group showed normal pelvic dynamic pressure (11.2% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.321). However, women in the CSEA group spent significantly less time in labor than those in the control group (7.25 vs. 9.52 h, P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CSEA did not affect the risk of postpartum pelvic muscle disorder in this cohort of primiparous women who gave birth vaginally. A significant shorter duration of labour was observed in the CSEA-group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02334150.

Hemodynamics and oxygen transport dynamics during hepatic resection at different central venous pressures in a pig model.

BACKGROUND: Although low central venous pressure (CVP) has been used to minimize blood loss during hepatectomy, the impact of variations of CVP on the rate of blood loss and on the perfusion of end-organs has not been evaluated. This animal study aimed to evaluate the hemodynamics and oxygen transport changes during hepatic resection at different CVP levels. METHODS: Forty-eight anesthetized Bama miniature pigs were divided into 8 groups with CVP during hepatic resection controlled at 0 to <1, 1 to <2, 2 to <3, 3 to <4, 4 to <5, 5 to <6, 6 to <7, and 7 to <8 cmH2O. Intergroup comparisons were made for hemodynamic parameters, oxygen transport dynamics, and the rate of blood loss. RESULTS: The rate of blood loss and the hepatic venous pressure during hepatic resection were almost linearly related to the CVP. A significant drop in the mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, and cardiac index occurred between CVP ≥2 and <2 cmH2O. Oxygen delivery (DO2), oxygen consumption (VO2) and oxygen extraction ratio (ERO2) remained relatively constant between CVPs of 2 to <8 cmH2O. There was a significant drop in DO2 when the CVP was <2 cmH2O. There was also a significant drop in VO2 and ExO2 when the CVP was <1 cmH2O. CONCLUSION: The optimal CVP for hepatic resection is 2 to 3 cmH2O.