Aspiration Prophylaxis and Rapid Sequence Induction for Elective Cesarean Delivery

The current practice of aspiration prophylaxis in obstetric anesthesia: a survey among non-physician anesthetic providers working in hospitals in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary aspiration is one of the most important complications of obstetric anesthesia. Prevention of pulmonary aspiration is commonly performed by the application of different anesthetic maneuvers and administration of drugs. This study aimed to assess the non-physician anesthetic providers current practice of aspiration prophylaxis during anesthesia for cesarean section in Ethiopia.

METHODS

This survey study was conducted from October 01 to November 05, 2020, on a total of 490 anesthetic providers working in hospitals in Ethiopia. A structured checklist was used to collect data from non-physician anesthetic providers.

RESULTS

Four hundred and ninety (490) anesthetic providers participated in our study. The majority of the respondents (84%) were working in the public sector. Most of the cesarean delivery was done under regional anesthesia and more than half of anesthetic providers in Ethiopia administered aspiration prophylaxis routinely. Metoclopramide was the most frequently given as a prophylaxis for pulmonary aspiration.

CONCLUSIONS

More than half of the anesthetic providers administered aspiration prophylaxis routinely. Metoclopramide was the commonest administered aspiration prophylaxis for parturients who underwent cesarean delivery to prevent aspiration.

Review of evidences for management of rapid sequence spinal anesthesia for category one cesarean section, in resource limiting setting

BACKGROUND

Globally obstetric anesthesia is being done under spinal and epidural than general anesthesia (GA) for most caesarean sections (CSs). This is because GA is associated with failed endotracheal intubation and aspiration of gastric contents. Eventhough general anesthesia is the fastest method for anesthetizing a category 1 cesarean section, it is associated with increased maternal mortality and morbidity. Spinal anesthesia is the preferred regional technique for cesarean section but failure sometimes occurs. To minimize the time factor of spinal anesthesia as well as to avoid the side effects of general anesthesia 'rapid sequence spinal '(RSS) has developed as a novel approach in cases of category one cesarean sections.

METHODS

The study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. Search engines like PubMed through HINARI, Cochrane database and Google Scholars were used to find high-level evidences that help to draw appropriate conclusions.

DISCUSSION

Neuraxial anesthetic techniques have several advantages which include low risk of aspiration and failed intubation, avoidance of central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory depressant drugs, the ability to maintain a wakeful state of mother enjoying the experience of delivery of baby and also lower incidence of blood loss. 'Rapid sequence spinal' described to minimize anesthetic time. This consists of a no-touch spinal technique, consideration of omission of the spinal opioid, limiting spinal attempts, allowing the start of surgery before full establishment of the spinal block, and being prepared for conversion to general anesthesia if there are delays or problems. To do rapid sequence spinal anesthesia safely and timely, cooperative work is mandatory with good team relation for those simultaneous and necessary tasks.

CONCLUSION

The choice of anesthetic in Cesarean section has long been recognized as one of prime importance, because there are two lives to safeguard instead of one. A balance must be struck between the anesthetic dictated by the general condition of the mother and that suited to the needs of the fetal respiratory system.

Laryngeal Mask Airway for Cesarean Delivery: A 5-Year Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is the most commonly used rescue airway in obstetric anesthesia. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the application of the LMA in parturients undergoing cesarean delivery (CD) for 5 years in our hospital. As a secondary objective, we investigated the incidence of airway-related complication in obstetric general anesthesia (GA).

METHODS

We collected electronic data for all obstetric patients who received GA for CD between January 2010 and December 2014 in Peking University First Hospital. Based on the different types of airway device, patients were divided into endotracheal intubation (ET) group and LMA group. The incidences of regurgitation and aspiration, as well as maternal and neonatal postoperative outcomes were compared between groups.

RESULTS

During the 5-year study, GA was performed in 192 cases, which accounted for 2.0% of all CDs. The main indications for GA were contraindication to neuraxial anesthesia or a failed block. Among these, ET tube was used in 124 cases (68.9%) and LMA in 56 cases (31.1%). The percentage of critical patients above the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Grade II was 24/124 in ET group and 4/56 in LMA group (P = 0.036). The emergent delivery rate was 63.7% for ET group and 37.5% for LMA group (P = 0.001). None of the patients had regurgitation or aspiration. There were no significant differences in terms of neonatal Apgar scores, maternal and neonatal postoperative outcomes between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that GA was mainly used for contraindication to neuraxial anesthesia or a failed block, and emergent CDs accounted for most cases. The second-generation LMA could be used for obstetric anesthesia, but correct position to achieve a good seal is the key to prevent reflux and aspiration. Whether they could replace the tracheal tube in routine practice needs further large prospective studies.

Management and outcomes of trauma during pregnancy

Approximately 1% to 4% of pregnant women are evaluated in emergency/delivery room because of traumatic injury, yet there are few educational strategies targeted toward prevention/management of maternal trauma. Use of illicit drugs and alcohol, domestic abuse, and depression contribute to maternal trauma; thus a high index of suspicion should be maintained when treating injured young women. Treating the mother appropriately is beneficial for both the mother and the fetus. Fetal viability should be assessed after maternal stabilization. Pregnancy-related morbidity occurs in approximately 25% of cases and may include placental abruption, uterine rupture, preterm delivery, and the need for cesarean delivery.

Anaesthesia for a patient with Eisenmenger's syndrome undergoing caesarean section

Eisenmenger's syndrome is a cyanotic congenital heart disease that includes pulmonary hypertension with reversed or bidirectional shunt associated with septal defects or patent ductus arteriosus. The decreased systemic vascular resistance associated with pregnancy increases the degree of right to left shunting, thereby carrying substantial risk to both the mother and the foetus. The maternal mortality rate of pregnancy in the presence of Eisenmenger's syndrome is reported to be as high as 30-70%. We present a case of a 22-year-old primigravida with Eisenmenger's syndrome who gave birth at 37 weeks of gestation via caesarean section to a live female baby under general anaesthesia. On the third post-operative day, the patient developed tachycardia, tachypnoea, hypotension and decrease in oxygen saturation despite supplemental oxygen, clinically suspected pulmonary thromboembolism. We describe the anaesthetic management for caesarean section and its complications in a patient with Eisenmenger's syndrome. Although pregnancy should be discouraged in women with Eisenmenger's syndrome, it can be successful.