Translation and validation of the French version of the ObsQoR-10 questionnaire for the evaluation of recovery after delivery: the ObsQoR-10-French.

Background: The Obstetric Quality of Recovery-10 (ObsQoR-10) is a validated tool for assessing the quality of postpartum recovery. This study aimed to validate the French version of the ObsQoR-10 scale (ObsQoR-10-French). Methods: After translating the ObsQoR-10 into French, we conducted a psychometric validation involving internal consistency, convergent validity, construct validity, reliability, responsiveness, scaling properties, acceptability, and feasibility. French women who underwent either a vaginal delivery (spontaneous or induced labour), or an emergency or elective Caesarean section (C-section) were prospectively included. They completed the ObsQoR-10-French before delivery and at 24 h (H24) and 48 h (H48) after delivery. Results: Of the 500 women included, 431 (86%) completed the questionnaire at all three timepoints. A total of 352 women (82%) underwent vaginal delivery (with 228 [53%] experiencing spontaneous labour and 124 [29%] had labour induced), whereas 53 (12%) women underwent an emergency C-section and 26 (6%) an elective C-section. The ObsQoR-10-French demonstrated excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach's coefficient of 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.78-0.84 at H24. The tool was correlated with an 11-item global health score (P<0.001). Of the list of hypotheses for evaluating the construct validity, 81% were confirmed (negative associations between ObsQoR-10-French and length of labour, hospital stay, the need for a C-section, and the emergency level of the C-section). The Cohen effect size at H24 was 0.58. The intra-class coefficient was 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.86-0.93 at H24. Conclusion: The ObsQoR-10-French is a valid and reliable psychometric questionnaire, capable of assessing the quality of postpartum recovery in French-speaking populations. Clinical trial registration: NCT04489602.

Plasmatic catecholamines after neuraxial labour analgesia: A randomised controlled trial comparing epidural versus combined spinal-epidural.

BACKGROUND: Combined spinal-epidural technique (CSE) for labour analgesia has been associated with fetal bradycardia and uterine hypertonia when compared with epidural analgesia (EA), possibly due to a decrease in epinephrine levels following neuraxial anaesthesia. However, there are no recent studies comparing plasmatic catecholamines levels between those two techniques. This study aimed to compare CSE versus EA regarding pre- and post-analgesia catecholamines levels, uterine tone and fetal heart rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Randomised clinical trial with 47 labouring patients divided in two groups (CSE and EA). Primary outcome was plasmatic catecholamine measurements before and after neuraxial block. Secondary outcomes were fetal heart rate changes, uterine hypertonia, hypotension episodes, pain relief and fetal outcomes. RESULTS: For CSE group, the median decrease of plasmatic epinephrine was 0 pg/mL [(-) 480-(+) 41] and for norepinephrine was -21 pg/mL [(-) 2507-(+) 94]. For EA group, the median decrease for epinephrine was 0 pg/mL [(-) 326-(+) 15] and for norepinephrine was -5 pg/mL [(-) 190-(+76)]. There were no differences between groups (p = 0.96 and p = 0.63 for epinephrine and norepinephrine, respectively). There were no differences for secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence of a more significant decrease of catecholamines with CSE when compared with EA. Catecholamines decrease theory may not be valid for modern labour analgesia techniques.

Variación de la baricidad en la mezcla de anestesia espinal para cesárea, ¿tiene algún efecto en la calidad anestésica? Estudio aleatorizado, doble ciego, controlado / Baricity variation in a spinal anaesthesia mixture for caesarean section. Does it have any effect on anaesthetic quality? A randomised, double blind, controlled study

Introducción: El presente estudio se realizó con la finalidad de comparar la efectividad anestésica de bupivacaína-fentanilo a diferentes concentraciones de dextrosa por vía subaracnoidea para cesárea segmentaria. Métodos: Estudio doble ciego, aleatorio simple. Se incluyeron 60 pacientes, con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 40 años, ASA I-II, para cesárea segmentaria Clase 3 o 4, divididas en tres grupos, definidos como Grupos A, B y C, correspondientes a dextrosa 2, 4 y 6% respectivamente, con bupivacaína 6,25 mg más fentanilo 25 μg. Se cuantificaron características demográficas, episodios de hipotensión y bradicardia, inicio y duración del bloqueo sensitivo y motor, satisfacción de la madre y el cirujano, eventos adversos, así como el efecto de la anestesia sobre el feto y el neonato. Una p < 0,05 fue considerada estadísticamente significativa. Resultados: No hubo diferencias significativas en los datos demográficos, las tres soluciones con dextrosa fueron suficientes para proporcionar nivel y tiempo quirúrgico, desde el punto de vista estadístico. Los eventos de hipotensión materna fueron menores en el Grupo C (p < 0,05). Sólo cinco casos fueron compatibles con asfixia neonatal, sin embargo, los valores de Apgar fueron mayores de siete puntos, con evolución posnatal satisfactoria en todos los casos. Conclusiones: Las tres mezclas de bupivacaína-fentanilo por vía subaracnoidea son clínicamente efectivas, sin embargo, a mayor concentración de dextrosa empleada, se obtiene mejor bloqueo diferencial.(AU)

Introduction: This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness subarachnoid anaesthesia with bupivacaine plus fentanyl at different concentrations of dextrose for caesarean section. Methods: A double-blind, randomised study, which included 60 patients, aged between 18 and 40 years, ASA I-II for caesarean section class 3 or 4, divided into 3 groups, designated A, B, and C corresponding to dextrose 2, 4 and 6%, respectively, bupivacaine 6.25 mg plus fentanyl 25 μg. Demographic characteristics were quantified, episodes of hypotension and bradycardia onset and duration of sensory block and motor block, surgeon and maternal satisfaction, adverse events and the effect of anaesthesia on the foetus and neonate. A p < .05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was no difference in the demographic data, the three-anaesthetic mixture with dextrose were sufficient to provide level and duration of anesthesia for surgery. Maternal hypotension events were lower in group C (p < 0.05), the same group had lower external malleolus deep sensitivity (p < 0.05), only 5 cases were consistent with neonatal asphyxia, however the Apgar scores values were greater than 7 points, with satisfactory development. Conclusions: The three anaesthetic mixtures for subarachnoid anaesthesia with bupivacaine-fentanyl are clinically effective; however, the greater the amount of dextrose used the better block quality.(AU)

Perinatal complications associated with neuraxial blocks.

Regional techniques are the gold standard of obstetric anaesthesia. In both vaginal and Caesarean section deliveries, neuraxial blocks are the most frequently used methods for relieving pain. Although it provides excellent analgesia, regional anaesthesia is associated with certain adverse side effects and possible complications. In this narrative review, we bring together all available data and create a catalogue of complications resulting from the use of perinatal neuraxial anaesthesia which we divide according to their severity and the duration of their impact on patients' health. We focus on complications that have significant or long-term consequences. Even though their incidence is low at 1:1600 neuraxial anaesthetics performed, we believe that better understanding of the possible severe problems that can result from regional anaesthesia procedures would enhance the overall safety of patients during labour, delivery, and the postpartum period. Despite the pivotal role neuraxial techniques play in providing anaesthesia for parturients, there is a lack of good quality studies on the incidence of complications. We believe that a thorough assessment of the occurrence of complications should be carried out by analysing data from nationwide medical databases. By analysing the adverse side effects, both qualitatively and quantitatively, we think it possible to further improve the quality of patient care.

[Obstetric anaesthesia during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Anesthésie de la femme enceinte dans le contexte de la pandémie de COVID-19.

Pregnant women and parturients have also been concerned by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they are not especially at risk for severe forms of the disease prone to induce prematurity but without transmission to the fœtus. Obstetrical management of parturients have changed with an extensive use of teleconsultation and a limitation of relatives in the delivery room and in the ward. The choice of the mode of delivery remains determined by obstetrical reasons, and use of regional anaesthesia remains recommended for labour and caesarean section provided there is not haemostasis disorders. The pandemic issue has not change management of fever and hypertension. The post-partum period is more impacted due to an increased risk of thromboembolic events justifying an extended use of anticoagulants. On the other hand, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is restricted. The key point was cooperation between obstetricians, anaesthesiologists, intensivists and pediatrician.

Obstetric and Anaesthesia Checklists for the Management of Morbidly Adherent Placenta.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an integrated checklist for the management of patients with suspected morbidly adherent placenta (MAP). METHODS: A checklist process was developed incrementally by clinicians in the disciplines of maternal-fetal medicine, gynaecology, medical imaging, and anaesthesia for management of women with suspected MAP. RESULTS: Over a five-year period of debriefing after individual cases, a comprehensive checklist system was developed. The checklist is activated upon referral if MAP is suspected at an initial maternal-fetal medicine consultation; the process is subsequently guided by a clinical nurse specialist, leading to a standardized program of care. CONCLUSIONS: Having a checklist process facilitates standardized care and optimal communication between specialists, providing team-based care for women with this potentially serious complication of pregnancy.