Ezzat Abouleish

Long-term follow-up of epidural blood patch.

&NA; Epidural blood patch (EBP) was performed for the treatment of severe postlumbar puncture cephalalgia in 118 young patients. Following the first EBP, 105 patients had relief of headache. Eleven of the 13 in whom it failed had a second EBP, with adequate relief in 10, giving an overall success of 97.5 percent. Lumbar epidural, caudal, and spinal procedures were successful in 3 patients 105 to 380 days after EBP. Soon after EBP, one patient developed facial paralysis and one complained of episodes of vertigo, dizziness, tinnitus, and ataxia without headaches. Residual complications included backache and/or back stiffness in 22 patients and paresthesia in two. Two‐year follow‐up revealed 95 percent patient acceptance of the procedure. EBP was found to be a safe, effective method for treating severe postlumbar puncture cephalalgia, provided a proper diagnosis is made and there is no contraindication.

Combined intrathecal morphine and bupivacaine for cesarean section.

The effects of adding 0,2 mg preservative-free morphine sulfate in 0.2 ml solution to hyperbaric spinal bupivacaine were evaluated in a double-blind randomized prospective study of 34 patients undergoing elective repeat cesarean section. In the control patients (n = 17), 0.2 ml saline instead of morphine was added to bupivacaine. The intrathecal morphine significantly improved intra- and postoperative analgesia, e.g., 82% of patients given morphine compared with 41% of the control patients did not require analgesic supplementation to the spinal anesthesia during surgery; postoperatively, the former patients did not request additional analgesia for 27 ± 0.7 hours (mean ± SEM) compared with 2 ± 0.3 hours in the control patients. Neonatal condition was not adversely affected by this small dose of morphine administered 11 ± 1 minutes before delivery. Combining 0.2 mg morphine with hyperbaric spinal bupivacaine for cesarean section is a safe and effective method of improving intraoperative pain relief and providing adequate prolonged postoperative analgesia.

Prophylactic Intravenous Ephedrine Infusion during Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Section

Ephedrine sulfate was administered to 44 healthy parturients undergoing elective repeat cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Twenty patients received ephedrine infusion (0.01 % solution, beginning with approximately 5 mg/ min) immediately after induction of spinal anesthesia to maintain maternal systolic blood pressure between 90% and 100% of the base line systolic blood pressure (mean dose of ephedrine 31.6 mg). Twenty-four patients (control group) received 20 mg of ephedrine as an intravenous bolus, and additional 10-mg increments, if necessary, when systolic blood pressure decreased to 80% of the base line systolic blood pressure (mean dose of ephedrine 26.8 mg). In patients given the infusion, systolic blood pressure did not change significantly from the base line systolic blood pressure following spinal anesthesia (p > 0.1) and reactive hypertension did not occur. Nausea and/or vomiting occurred in nine women in the control group and one patient in the infusion group (p < 0.001). Apgar scores, fetal blood gas tensions, and time for onset of respiration were comparable in the two groups. The results suggest that prophylactic ephedrine infusion is safe and desirable in healthy parturients undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.

Fetal heart rate changes after intrathecal sufentanil or epidural bupivicaine for labor analgesia: Incidence and clinical significance

The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of intrapartum fetal heart tracing (FHT) abnormalities and the obstetric outcome after intrathecal sufentanil (ITS) versus epidural bupivacaine (EB).During the period from April to September 1994, 129 patients who met inclusion criteria were prospectively identified during labor at a single university-affiliated hospital. Inclusion criteria included: singleton, gestational age >or=to36 wk, and cephalic presentation. In the ITS group, epidural anesthesia was not administered before 60 min after ITS. Sixty-five consecutive ITS patients were compared to 64 consecutive EB patients. Each FHT was reviewed independently by two obstetricians blinded to the type of analgesia. The FHT characteristics evaluated included baseline rate, variability, and periodic changes. No differences in the incidence of clinically significant FHT abnormalities (recurrent late decelerations and/or bradycardia) were observed between the two groups (ITS 21.5% versus EB 23.4%). The rates of clinically significant FHT abnormalities in both groups was not different when patients with hypotension and medical complications were excluded (16.9% vs 17.1%). In addition, equal rates of hypotension (18.5% vs 17.2%) were noted between the groups. In both groups there was a significantly higher risk of cesarean section in patients whose previously normal FHT became abnormal postanalgesia when compared to patients without a new onset FHT abnormality (ITS 28.6% [4/14] versus 2.0% [1/51], P < 0.01; EB 33.3% [5/15] versus 8.2% [4/49], P < 0.05). This increased risk was associated with an increase in cesarean section for nonreassuring FHT in both groups (ITS 14.3% [2/14] versus 0% [0/51], P = 0.04; EB 13.3% [2/15] versus 0% [0/49], P = 0.05). These results support the conclusion that the incidence of clinically significant FHT abnormalities and hypotension is equivalent in patients receiving ITS when compared to EB within the first hour of administration. During this period, patients should have continuous FHT monitoring since a new onset FHT abnormality unveils and alerts the physicians to a possible compromised fetal condition and a corresponding increased risk of cesarean section. (Anesth Analg 1996;83:742-6)

Behavioral and Histopathologic Effects Following Intrathecal Administration of Butorphanol, Sufentanil, and Nalbuphine in Sheep

A large number of opioids and nonopioids have been administered epidurally and intrathecally in the hope of providing segmental analgesia without serious adverse effects. However, neurotoxicity data are generally unavailable for many of these drugs. The present study evaluated the behavioral, motor, electroencephalographic, and histopathologic changes following intrathecal injection of large and small doses of butorphanol, sufentanil, and nalbuphine in sheep. Thirty-two sheep (20-32 kg) were anesthetized and catheters placed intrathecally after hemilaminectomy. The large doses of butorphanol, sufentanil and nalbuphine were 0.375 mg/kg (4.4-5.2 ml), 7.5 micrograms/kg (3.6-4.8 ml) and 0.75 mg/kg (1.5-2.4 ml), and the small doses were 0.075 mg/kg (0.9-1.1 ml), 1.5 micrograms/kg (0.7-0.9 ml) and 0.15 mg/kg (0.38-0.5 ml), respectively. The opioids were administered intrathecally every 6 h for 3 days and the above-mentioned parameters studied. Five sheep received intrathecal saline (1.1 or 5.2 ml) and served as controls. Histopathologic changes were evaluated by a neuropathologist blinded to the study protocol. Irrespective of dose, intrathecal injection of butorphanol was associated with severe behavioral responses such as agitation, rigidity, vocalization, and restlessness, as well as prolonged or irreversible hindlimb paralysis. Electroencephalography showed increased cortical activity or seizure activity. One sheep died because of severe respiratory depression that did not respond to naloxone. Spinal cord histologic changes consisted of suppurative meningitis and myelitis as well as neuronal changes such as spongiosis and chromatolysis. Large doses of intrathecal sufentanil were associated with similar though somewhat less severe responses. The behavioral and motor changes following the small dose of intrathecal sufentanil were of mild to moderate nature. Following intrathecal nalbuphine, the above-mentioned changes were similar to those seen in control animals. We conclude that butorphanol in doses of 0.075 and 0.375 mg/kg intrathecally and sufentanil 7.5 micrograms/kg intrathecally are neurotoxic in sheep.

Combined spinal-epidural analgesia in advanced labour

The combined spinal-epidural technique is a modification of epidural analgesia which combines the rapid onset of spinal analgesia with the flexibility of an epidural catheter. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of an intrathecal opioid — low-dose local anaesthetic combination for parturients in advanced labour, a setting where satisfactory epidural analgesia is often difficult to achieve. The technique was evaluated in an open-label, non-randomized trial using parturients in advanced, active labour for the provision of pain relief during the late first stage and second stage of labour. Thirty-eight term parturients in active, advanced labour received a spinal injection of bu-pivacaine 2.5 mg and sufentanil, 10 μg, via a 25- or 27-gauge Whitacre needle placed into the subarachnoid space through a 17- or 18- gauge Weiss epidural needle which had been placed into the epidural space. This was followed by placement of an epidural catheter for supplemental analgesia if required. Onset of analgesia was noted by asking patients if their contractions were comfortable. Motor blockade was assessed using the Bromage criteria. Patients were asked if they experienced either pruritus or nausea on a four-point scale (none, mild, moderate, severe). The mean cervical dilatation at placement of the spinal medication was 6.1 ± 2.2 cm. Thirty-two patients had spontaneous vaginal delivery, two were delivered by outlet forceps, and four by Caesarean section. Onset of analgesia was rapid (< five minutes) in all cases. Twenty-three patients (60%) delivered vaginally with no additional anaesthetic. The remaining 15 had supplemental local anaesthetic given via the epidural catheter, a mean of 123 ± 33 min after the original spinal dose. Side effects were limited to pruritus in eight (21%) patients, and mild lower extremity motor weakness in one patient. One patient experienced transient hypotension. No patient developed postdural puncture headache. This technique allows for profound analgesia with a rapid onset and few bothersome side effects. In particular, the absence of motor blockade may facilitate maternal expulsive efforts or positioning during the second stage of labour.RésuméLa technique combinée rachi-épidurale est une modification de l’analgésie épidurale qui associe le court délai d’une analgésie rachidienne avec la maniabilité d’un cathéter épidural. Nous évaluons l’efficacité de la combinaison d’un opiacé intrathécal et d’une faible dose d’anesthésique local chez des parturientes en travail avancé, moment où une analgésie épidurale satisfaisante est souvent difficile à obtenir. Cette technique est évaluée au cours d’une étude ouverte, non aléatoire chez des parturientes en travail avancé et actif, afin d’avoir une disparition des douleurs pour la fin de la première étape et à la deuxième étape du travail. Trente huit patientes à terme en travail actif et avancé reçoivent une injection rachidienne de 2,5 mg de bupivacaïne et de 10 μg de sufentanyl par une aiguille Whitacre de calibre 25 ou 27 gauge placée dans l’espace sous-archnoïdien à travers une aiguille épidurale Weiss de calibre 17 ou 18 qui est placée dans l’espace épidural. Ensuite, on place le cathéter épidural pour une analgésie supplémentaire si nécessaire. Le début de l’analgésic est appréciée en interrogeant les patientes sur leur confort pendant les contractions. Le bloc moteur est évalué selon les critères de Bromage. On demande aux patientes si elles éprouvent du prurit ou des nausées dont l’intensité est graduée en quatre niveaux (aucun, léger, modéré, sévère). La dilatation moyenne du col au moment de l’installation de l’analgésie rachidienne est de 6,1 ±2,2 cm. Trente-deux patientes ont accouché spontanément par voie vaginale, deux ont été accouchées au moyen d’un forceps de sortie, et quatre par césarienne. Le début de l’analgésie est rapide (< 5 min) dans tous les cas. Vingt-trois patientes (60%) ont accouché par voie vaginale sans adjonction d’anesthésique. Les 15 restantes ont reçu un supplément d’anesthésique local par le cathéter épidural, à environ 123 ±33 min après la dose rachidienne de départ. Les effets secondaires se sont limités au prurit chez huit patientes (21%), et à une faiblesse légère des extrémités inférieures chez une patiente. Une patiente a eu une hypotension transitoire. Aucune patiente n’a eu de céphalée postponction dure-mérienne. Cette technique procure une analgésie intense avec un début rapide et peu d’effets secondaires ennuyeux. En particulier, l’absence de bloc moteur peut faciliter les efforts maternels d’expulsion ou de positionnement pendant la deuxième étape du travail.

Intrathecal morphine 0.2 mg versus epidural bupivacaine 0.125% or their combination: effects on parturients.

To compare the efficacy and side effects of 0.2 mg intrathecal (IT) morphine with 0.125% epidural bupivacaine, 62 women in labor were studied. They were randomly divided into three groups: group 1 (n = 20) received IT morphine; group 2 (n = 22) received epidural bupivacaine; and group 3 (n = 20) received a combination of both using a combined spinal-epidural (CSE) technique. According to a visual analogue scale for assessing analgesia, neither IT 0.2 mg morphine nor 10 ml 0.125% epidural bupivacaine was effective in producing adequate pain relief in labor, whereas the combination produced excellent analgesia. The use of IT morphine significantly reduced the dosage requirement of epidural bupivacaine. The incidence of nausea, vomiting, and pruritus was significantly higher when IT morphine had been administered, whereas that of urinary retention did not differ. No serious respiratory depression occurred in any of the patients. When the course of labor was studied, the prior use of IT morphine significantly prolonged the duration of the first stage of labor and the total duration of labor. We conclude that the administration of 0.2 mg IT morphine in combination with epidural administration of 0.125% bupivacaine provides better analgesia than the administration of either drug alone.

Epinephrine improves the quality of spinal hyperbaric bupivacaine for cesarean section.

In a double-blind randomized study, the effects of the addition of epinephrine on hyperbaric spinal bupivaeaine were studied in 63 patients having elective repeat cesarean sections. In the study group (32 patients), the addition of 0.2 mg epinephrine improved the quality of analgesia since fewer patients required supplementation of the spinal anesthetic; the motor block was more profound; and the times to two-segment regression, sensory recovery, and motor recovery were prolonged.

A clinical and laboratory study to compare the addition of 0.2 mg of morphine, 0.2 mg of epinephrine, or their combination to hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia in cesarean section.

The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to compare the effects of adding either preservative-free morphine, 0.2 mg (n = 20), epinephrine, 0.2 mg (n = 21), or a combination of both (n = 29) to hyperbaric bupivacaine in parturients having elective cesarean sections during spinal anesthesia. Ten additional patients receiving spinal bupivacaine alone were studied as the Control Group. High-pressure liquid chromatography with a sensitivity of 20 micrograms/mL was used to measure serum bupivacaine in all subjects. The results showed that the spread and regression of the sensory and motor blocks were similar among the study groups. However, the intraoperative analgesia was superior in patients receiving bupivacaine combined with morphine and epinephrine, whereas there was no difference between those given an addition of either morphine or epinephrine. Postoperative analgesia was the shortest and opioid requirement in the first 24 h the most with epinephrine alone. No respiratory depression occurred. The neonatal condition was excellent in all groups. Serum concentrations of bupivacaine at 10 min, at delivery (25 +/- 1.4 min), and at 60 min after the intrathecal injection were similar among the groups including the Control Group. The concentrations of bupivacaine in umbilical arterial and venous sera were less than the sensitivity level of the analytical method. We conclude that the addition of 0.2 mg of morphine plus 0.2 mg of epinephrine to hyperbaric bupivacaine improves the intra- and postoperative analgesia without an added risk. This improvement is not due to vasoconstriction and a reduction in the absorption of bupivacaine from the subarachnoid space.

Postpartum hypertension and convulsion after oxytocic drugs.

An 18-year-old primipara developed acute hypertension leading to cerebral edema and convulsions following the IV injection of a bolus of 10 units of oxytocin with 0.2 mg methylergonovine maleate. Oxytocin in a dose of more than 2 units should not be administered IV in a single injection, as severe hypotension may result. If oxytocin is required, it can be injected either IM, or by IV pump or drip. The use of ergot in obstetrics should be limited to the treatment of life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage and be given only by the IM route. Ergot should not be administered to patients with cardiac, renal, or hypertensive disease, or in association with a vasoconstrictor.