Amy L. Phelps

Ultrasound decreases the failed labor epidural rate in resident trainees

BACKGROUND Epidural analgesia is widely used for pain relief during labor. The purpose of this study was to determine if ultrasound measurement of the depth from skin to epidural space before the epidural technique decreases the failure rate of labor analgesia. A secondary objective was to correlate ultrasound depth to the epidural space with actual depth of the needle at placement. METHODS In this prospective, randomized, non-blinded study, 370 parturients requesting labor epidural analgesia were randomized to receive their epidural technique by first year anesthesia residents with or without prior ultrasound determination of epidural space depth. Outcome variables included the incidence of epidural catheter replacement for failed analgesia and the number of epidural attempts and accidental dural punctures. RESULTS The ultrasound group had fewer epidural catheter replacements (P<0.02), and epidural placement attempts (P<0.01) compared to the control group. Pearsons correlation coefficients comparing the actual versus ultrasound estimated depth to the epidural space in the longitudinal median and transverse planes were 0.914 and 0.909, respectively. Pearsons correlation coefficient comparing the ultrasound estimated depths to the epidural space in the transverse and longitudinal median planes was 0.940. No significant differences were noted with respect to staff interventions, top-ups, accidental dural punctures, and delivery outcome. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound measurement of the epidural space depth before epidural technique placement decreases the rate of epidural catheter replacements for failed labor analgesia, and reduces the number of epidural attempts when performed by first year residents and compared to attempts without ultrasound guidance.

Chorioamnionitis, not epidural analgesia, is associated with maternal fever during labour

PurposeMaternal fever is associated with chorioamnionitis and has been linked to labour epidural analgesia (LEA). The purpose of this study was to determine possible associations between LEA and chorioamnionitis, maternal fever, operative delivery rate, and neonatal outcome.MethodsData from 14,073 patients were entered into a database over a two-year period. From this database, 62 nulliparous parturients with clinical chorioamnionitis (amnionitis), but without LEA were identified (Group I). Two other groups who received LEA were matched for parity and gestation: Group II — LEA with concomitant amnionitis (n = 50) and, Group III — LEA without concomitant amnionitis (n=201). The diagnosis of chorioamnionitis was confirmed by histologic examination. Results are expressed as mean ± SD and analyzed atP < 0.05 using ANOVA or Chi-square.ResultsNo differences were noted among the groups in the operative delivery rate or Apgar scores at five minutes. The percentage of patients with maternal fever during labour (38.0°C) with amnionitis was significantly less in Group III compared to the other groups (100% in both Groups I and IIvs 1.0% in Group III;P=0.000). Likewise, Group III had a lower percentage of neonates with Apgar scores < 7 at one minute (35.5% in Group I, 20.0% in Group II, 17.4% in Group III;P=0.010). The percentage of histologic chorioamnionitis was significantly higher in both amnionitis groups compared to Group III (67.7% in Group I, 56.0% in Group II, 4.0% in Group III;P=0.000).ConclusionLEA without chorioamnionitis is not associated with maternal fever (38.0°C), increased operative delivery rates or low Apgar scores.RésuméObjectifLa fièvre puerpérale est associée à la chorioamnionite et a été reliée à l’analgésie épidurale pendant le travail (AET). L’objectif de la présente étude était de déterminer les associations possibles entre AET et, chorioamnionite, fièvre puerpérale, taux de césarienne et évolution néonatale.MéthodePendant deux ans, on a inscrit dans une base de données les informations concernant 14 073 patientes. À partir de cette base de données, on a repéré 62 parturientes nullipares qui présentaient une chorioamnionite clinique, sans AET (groupe I). Deux autres groupes de femmes qui ont reçu une AET ont été appariés pour la parité et la gestation: le groupe II qui comportait une AET et une amnionite concomitante (n = 50), et le groupe III avec AET mais sans amnionite concomitante (n = 201). Le diagnostic de chorioamnionite a été confirmé par un examen histologique. Les résultats ont été exprimés par la moyenne ± l’écart type et analysés à P < 0,05 en utilisant une analyse de variance ou la méthode du Chi2.RésultatsAucune différence intergroupe n’est apparue quant au taux de césarienne ou à l’indice d’Apgar à cinq minutes. Le pourcentage de patientes atteintes de fièvre puerpérale pendant le travail (38,0°C) et d’amnionite a été significativement moindre dans le groupe III comparé aux deux autres groupes (100% dans les groupes I et II vs 1,0 % dans le groupe III; P = 0,000). Aussi, le groupe III a présenté un pourcentage plus faible de nouveaunés avec un indice d’Apgar < 7 à une minute (35,5 % dans le groupe I, 20,0 % dans le groupe II, 17,4 % dans le groupe III; P = 0,010). Le pourcentage de chorioamnionite histologique a été signifeativement plus élevé dans les deux groupes avec amnionite comparés au groupe III (67,7% dans le groupe 1, 56,0 % dans le groupe II, 4,0 % dans le groupe III; P = 0,000).ConclusionL’AET sans chorioamnionite n’est pas associée à la fièvre puerpérale (38,0°C), à un taux élevé de césarienne ou à un faible indice d’Apgar.

Aprepitant plus ondansetron compared with ondansetron alone in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting in ambulatory patients undergoing plastic surgery.

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting is a major challenge in the perioperative setting. The incidence can be as high as 80 percent, and the majority of the symptoms among outpatients occur after discharge. This study evaluated the efficacy of a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist (aprepitant) in reducing postoperative symptoms for up to 48 hours in patients undergoing outpatient plastic surgery. Methods: A prospective, double-blinded, randomized, two-arm evaluation of 150 ambulatory plastic surgery patients receiving a standardized general anesthetic, including postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis with ondansetron and either aprepitant or placebo, was performed. The main outcome measures were the occurrence of vomiting and the severity of nausea for up to 48 hours postoperatively. Results: Overall, 9.3 percent of patients who received aprepitant versus 29.7 percent in group B had vomiting, with the majority of vomiting episodes occurring after hospital discharge. The Kaplan-Meier plot of the hazards of vomiting revealed an increased incidence of emesis in patients receiving ondansetron alone compared with the combination of ondansetron and aprepitant (p = 0.006). The incidence of nausea was not significantly different in the two groups. Severity of nausea, however, was significantly higher in those receiving ondansetron alone compared with those receiving ondansetron and aprepitant, as measured by a peak nausea score (p = 0.014) and by multivariate analysis of variance results comparing repeated verbal rating scale scores over 48 hours after surgery (p = 0.024). Conclusion: In patients undergoing plastic surgery, the addition of aprepitant to ondansetron significantly decreases postoperative vomiting rates and nausea severity for up to 48 hours postoperatively. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

Preemptive Analgesia With Bupivacaine for Segmental Mastectomy

Background and Objectives: Preemptive analgesia is the concept of providing analgesia before surgical incision, resulting in less postoperative pain. The purpose of this study is to determine if preemptive and/or postoperative local anesthetic infiltration of bupivacaine in patients undergoing segmental mastectomy results in less postoperative pain compared with patients receiving placebo. Methods: In this prospective, double-blinded study, 120 patients were randomized into 4 groups: group 1, preincisional (10 mL) and postoperative (10 mL) wound infiltration of 0.5% bupivicaine, (+Pre+Post); group 2, preincisional bupivacaine (10 mL) and postoperative infiltration (10 mL) of placebo (normal saline solution), (+Pre−Post); group 3, preincisional placebo (10 mL) and postoperative bupivacaine (10 mL), (−Pre+Post); or group 4, preincisional (10 mL) and postoperative infiltration of placebo (10 mL), (−Pre−Post). All patients received a standardized laryngeal mask general anesthetic. Data were recorded at the following time intervals: preoperative admission, postanesthesia care unit (PACU) admission, PACU stay, stepdown-unit admission, stepdown-unit stay, hospital discharge, and 24 hours post operation. Results: No difference was noted with respect to preoperative pain visual analog scale (VAS, 0-100 mm), surgical duration, PACU stay time, stepdown-unit stay time, incidence of postoperative nausea, or treatment for nausea in all measured time periods. The placebo group (group 4) had significantly higher mean pain VAS scores during the early postoperative period (PACU admission and PACU stay) compared to the other groups (PACU admission: group 1 = 2 ± 8, group 2 = 4 ± 11, group 3 = 3 ± 15, group 4 = 17 ± 21, P < .01; PACU stay: group 1 = 6 ± 13, group 2 = 6 ± 10, group 3 = 10 ± 21, group 4 = 20 ± 18, P < .01). Likewise, the number of patients who reported pain (pain frequency) was significantly higher in group 4 (placebo) compared with all other groups at PACU admission, PACU stay, stepdown-unit admission, and stepdown-unit stay (P ≤ .01). Conclusion: Preincisional and/or postoperative wound bupivacaine infiltration lacks preemptive analgesic effects for segmental mastectomy.

The incidence of maternal fever during labor is less with intermittent than with continuous epidural analgesia: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND This prospective, randomized study was performed to see if intermittent labor epidural analgesia was protective against maternal intrapartum fever, compared to continuous epidural infusion. METHODS Ninety-two healthy, term, nulliparous women in spontaneous labor were assigned to either intermittent (ILEA) or continuous labor epidural analgesia (CLEA), 46 in each group. In both groups, epidural analgesia was established with fentanyl 100 microg, and 8 mL of either 0.125% bupivacaine with fentanyl 0.0002%, or 0.1% ropivacaine with fentanyl 0.0002%. Maintenance in the CLEA group was with the same bupivacaine/fentanyl or ropivacaine/fentanyl solutions at 10-15 mL/h. In the ILEA group, additional boluses of the same solution were given as needed. Maternal tympanic temperature was measured before epidural insertion, 4-hourly during labor and 4 h post partum. Fever was defined as a temperature of > or =38 degrees C. Newborn temperature was noted within 60 min of birth. RESULTS The incidence of fever in ILEA was significantly lower at four hours (2/42, vs. 10/44 in CLEA, P=0.036). No significant differences were detected at other time periods. Mean maternal temperatures did not differ between groups at any time. There were no differences in neonatal temperature or neonatal sepsis evaluation rate (CLEA vs. ILEA 0/46 vs. 2/43, P=0.45). CONCLUSIONS Intermittent epidural injections appear to protect against intrapartum fever in the first 4 hours of labor analgesia, compared to continuous infusion. This may be due to intermittent partial recovery of heat loss mechanisms between injections. Neonatal sepsis evaluation rates were similar in the two groups.

An International Survey to Understand Infection Control Practices for Spinal Cord Stimulation

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are associated with significant healthcare costs and morbidity. Limited research exists specific to the prevention of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) SSIs. The objectives of this international survey were to examine current infection control practices for SCS trials and implants and to compare reported responses with evidence‐based recommendations.

Efficacy of the bilateral ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric block with intrathecal morphine for postoperative cesarean delivery analgesia.

The ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric (IIIH) block is frequently used as multimodal analgesia for lower abdominal surgeries. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of IIIH block using ultrasound visualization for reducing postoperative pain after caesarean delivery (CD) in patients receiving intrathecal morphine (ITM) under spinal anesthesia. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups for the bilateral IIIH block: Group A = 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine, Group B = 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine on one side and 10 mL of a normal saline (NSS) placebo block on the opposite side, and Group C = 10 mL of NSS placebo per side. Pain and nausea scores, treatment for pain and nausea, and patient satisfaction were recorded for 48 hours after CD. No differences were noted with respect to pain scores or treatment for pain over the 48 hours. There were no differences to the presence of nausea (P = 0.64), treatment for nausea (P = 0.21), pruritus (P = 0.39), emesis (P = 0.35), or patient satisfaction (P = 0.29). There were no differences in pain and nausea scores over the measured time periods (MANOVA, P > 0.05). In parturients receiving ITM for elective CD, IIIH block offers no additional postoperative benefit for up to 48 hours.

Epidural Catheter Placement in Morbidly Obese Parturients with the Use of an Epidural Depth Equation prior to Ultrasound Visualization

Background. Previously, Balki determined the Pearson correlation coefficient with the use of ultrasound (US) was 0.85 in morbidly obese parturients. We aimed to determine if the use of the epidural depth equation (EDE) in conjunction with US can provide better clinical correlation in estimating the distance from the skin to the epidural space in morbidly obese parturients. Methods. One hundred sixty morbidly obese (≥40 kg/m2) parturients requesting labor epidural analgesia were enrolled. Before epidural catheter placement, EDE was used to estimate depth to the epidural space. This estimation was used to help visualize the epidural space with the transverse and midline longitudinal US views and to measure depth to epidural space. The measured epidural depth was made available to the resident trainee before needle insertion. Actual needle depth (ND) to the epidural space was recorded. Results. Pearsons correlation coefficients comparing actual (ND) versus US estimated depth to the epidural space in the longitudinal median and transverse planes were 0.905 (95% CI: 0.873 to 0.929) and 0.899 (95% CI: 0.865 to 0.925), respectively. Conclusion. Use of the epidural depth equation (EDE) in conjunction with the longitudinal and transverse US views results in better clinical correlation than with the use of US alone.

An open-label randomized controlled clinical trial for comparison of continuous phenylephrine versus norepinephrine infusion in prevention of spinal hypotension during cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND During spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery phenylephrine is the vasopressor of choice but can cause bradycardia. Norepinephrine has both β- and α-adrenergic activity suitable for maintaining blood pressure with less bradycardia. We hypothesized that norepinephrine would be superior to phenylephrine, requiring fewer rescue bolus interventions to maintain blood pressure. METHODS Eighty-five parturients having spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean delivery were randomized to Group P (phenylephrine 0.1μg/kg/min) or Group N (norepinephrine 0.05μg/kg/min) fixed-rate infusions. Rescue bolus interventions of phenylephrine 100μg for hypotension, or ephedrine 5mg for bradycardia with hypotension, were given as required to maintain systolic blood pressure. Maternal hemodynamic variables were measured non-invasively. RESULTS There was no difference between groups in the proportion of patients who required rescue vasopressor boluses (Group P: 65.8% [n=25] vs. Group N: 48.8% [n=21], P=0.12). The proportion of patients who received ⩾1 bolus of phenylephrine was similar between groups (Group P: 52.6% [n=20] vs. Group N: 46.5% [n=20], P=0.58). However, more patients received ⩾1 bolus of ephedrine in the phenylephrine group (Group P: 23.7% [n=9] vs. Group N: 2.3% [n=1], P<0.01). The incidence of emesis was greater in the phenylephrine group (Group P: 26.3% vs. Group P: 16.3%, P<0.001). Hemodynamic parameters including heart rate, the incidence of bradycardia, blood pressure, cardiac output, cardiac index, stroke volume, and systemic vascular resistance and neonatal outcome were similar between groups (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION Norepinephrine fixed-rate infusion has efficacy for preventing hypotension and can be considered as an alternative to phenylephrine.

Chronic headache and backache are long-term sequelae of unintentional dural puncture in the obstetric population ☆

INTRODUCTION Unintentional dural puncture (UDP) and postdural puncture headache (PDPH) occur during the course of epidural catheter placement for labor analgesia with a reported incidence of 1%-5%. After UDP with an epidural needle, 80%-86% of patients develop PDPH. Acute symptoms after UDP are well known. However, few studies have evaluated the long-term complications of UDP, which is important in assisting parturients in the decision-making informed consent process. We sought to elucidate the long-term (>6 weeks) sequelae of PDPH by examining parturients who had UDP (both recognized and unrecognized) associated with labor epidural analgesia. METHODS Parturients with a documented UDP (n = 308) over a 5-year period were followed up for acute and long-term residual symptoms (lasting >6 weeks) and compared with a control group (no documented UDP, n = 50) in the same period. Specific symptoms included headache, backache, neck ache, auditory symptoms, and visual symptoms. RESULTS In comparing parturients with a UDP with control group (no UDP), differences were noted in overall acute symptoms (75.9% vs 21.7%, P < .001), specifically headache (87.0% vs 8.7%, P < .001), backache (47.2% vs 19.6%, P = .002), neck ache (30.1% vs 2.2%, P < .001), auditory (13.8% vs 0%, P = .02), and visual symptoms (19.5% vs 0%, P = .002). Differences were also noted in comparing chronic symptoms (26.5% vs 10.9%, P = .04) and specifically with respect to chronic headache (34.9% vs 2.2%, P < .001), backache (58.1% vs 4.4%, P < .001), and neck ache (14.0% vs 0%, P = .02). No differences were noted between groups in comparing chronic auditory and visual symptoms. CONCLUSION Chronic headache and backache sequelae persist in the obstetrical population after UDP. When parturients are considering labor epidural analgesia, long-term sequelae should be discussed in the informed consent decision-making process.