Combined Spinal-epidural Technique Research Articles

Dural Puncture Epidural Technique: a Novel Method for Labor Analgesia

In recent years, the dural puncture epidural (DPE) technique has emerged as a novel method of labor analgesia. The DPE technique involves the technical elements of a combined spinal epidural (CSE) technique but avoids the direct administration of intrathecal medications. The underlying mechanism responsible for the unique blockade qualities of the DPE technique is believed to be the translocation of medications from the epidural space into the dural sac; laboratory studies have found a positive correlation between translocation flux and the size of dural perforation. Clinically, earlier and greater sacral spread and dermatomal block symmetry have been observed in obstetric and surgical patients receiving the DPE technique compared to the epidural (EPL) technique. Moreover, the DPE technique appears to have fewer side effects than the CSE technique. The DPE technique appears to offer a paradigm shift in obstetric analgesia and anesthesia, but further investigation is warranted.

Dural Puncture Epidural Technique Improves Labor Analgesia Quality With Fewer Side Effects Compared With Epidural and Combined Spinal Epidural Techniques: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The dural puncture epidural (DPE) technique is a modification of the combined spinal epidural (CSE) technique, where a dural perforation is created from a spinal needle but intrathecal medication administration is withheld. The DPE technique has been shown to improve caudal spread of analgesia compared with epidural (EPL) technique without the side effects observed with the CSE technique. We hypothesized that the onset of labor analgesia would follow this order: CSE > DPE > EPL techniques. A total of 120 parturients in early labor were randomly assigned to EPL, DPE, or CSE groups. Initial dosing for EPL and DPE consisted of epidural 20 mL of 0.125% bupivacaine plus fentanyl 2 μg/mL over 5 minutes, and for CSE, intrathecal 0.25% bupivacaine 1.7 mg and fentanyl 17 μg. Upon block completion, a blinded coinvestigator assessed the outcomes. Two blinded obstetricians retrospectively interpreted uterine contractions and fetal heart rate tracings 1 hour before and after the neuraxial technique. The primary outcome was time to numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) ≤ 1 analyzed by using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard model. Secondary outcomes included block quality, maternal adverse effects, uterine contraction patterns, and fetal outcomes analyzed by using the χ test with Yates continuity correction. There was no significant difference in the time to NPRS ≤ 1 between DPE and EPL (hazard ratio 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-2.4, P = .21). DPE achieved NPRS ≤ 1 significantly slower than CSE (hazard ratio 0.36; 95% CI 0.22-0.59, P = .0001). The median times (interquartile range) to NPRS ≤ 1 were 2 (0.5-6) minutes for CSE, 11 (4-120) minutes for DPE, and 18 (10-120) minutes for EPL. Compared with EPL, DPE had significantly greater incidence of bilateral S2 blockade at 10 minutes (risk ratio [RR] 2.13; 95% CI 1.39-3.28; P < .001), 20 minutes (RR 1.60; 95% CI 1.26-2.03; P < .001), and 30 minutes (RR 1.18; 95% CI 1.01-1.30; P < .034), a lower incidence of asymmetric block after 30 minutes (RR 0.19; 95% CI 0.07-0.51; P < .001) and physician top-up intervention (RR 0.45; 95% CI 0.23-0.86; P = .011). Compared with CSE, DPE had a significantly lower incidence of pruritus (RR 0.15; 95% CI 0.06-0.38; P < .001), hypotension (RR 0.38; 95% CI 0.15-0.98; P = .032), combined uterine tachysystole and hypertonus (RR 0.22; 95% CI 0.08-0.60; P < .001), and physician top-up intervention (RR 0.45; 95% CI 0.23-0.86; p = .011). Analgesia onset was most rapid with CSE with no difference between DPE and EPL techniques. The DPE technique has improved block quality over the EPL technique with fewer maternal and fetal side effects than the CSE technique for parturients requesting early labor analgesia.

Maintenance of epidural labour analgesia: The old, the new and the future.

Neuraxial analgesia is considered the gold standard in labour analgesia, providing the most effective pain relief during childbirth. Improvements have enhanced the efficacy and safety of epidural analgesia through better drugs, techniques and delivery systems. This review describes the history of epidural labour analgesia and recent improvements in labour epidural analgesia. We discuss the role of the combined spinal epidural technique, low-concentration local anaesthetic-opioid epidural solutions, patient-controlled epidural analgesia, and programmed intermittent or automated mandatory boluses in the maintenance of epidural labour analgesia. We also review the newer interactive techniques for drug delivery, such as computer-integrated patient-controlled epidural analgesia and variable frequency automated mandatory bolus. Finally, we discuss future clinical research developments, including the use of data analytics and long-term outcomes associated with childbirth pain management.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Morphine and Fentanyl as Adjuvants to Bupivacaine in Providing Operative Anesthesia and Postoperative Analgesia in Subumblical Surgeries Using Combined Spinal Epidural Technique.

Introduction:The combined spinal epidural (CSE) technique involves intentional subarachnoid blockade and epidural catheter placement during the same procedure to combine their individual best features, to reduce the total drug dosage and avoid their respective disadvantages. The addition of opioids to local anesthetics (bupivacaine) for CSE anesthesia (CSEA) is increasingly common to enhance the block. Neuraxial fentanyl is more potent and has shorter duration of action than morphine which provides prolonged anesthesia and analgesia, however at the cost of increased incidence of adverse effects like delayed respiratory depression.Aims and Objectives:The aim is to compare the efficacy and safety of morphine and fentanyl as adjuvants to bupivacaine in subumblical surgeries using CSE technique. The characteristics of sensory and motor block, intergroup variations in pain, cardiorespiratory parameters, and adverse effects were compared between the two groups.Materials and Methods:A total of 60 patients belonging to physical status American Society of Anesthesiologists Classes I and II, aged 18–60 years were randomized into two groups: Group A (n = 30) received intrathecal 0.5% heavy bupivacaine 12.5 mg and morphine 2.85 μg/kg; Epidural Anesthetic bolus (when required/T11Regression) 8 ml 0.25% isobaric bupivacaine and 0.04 mg/kg morphine; Epidural Analgesic bolus (postoperative visual analog scale [VAS] score >30) 5 ml 0.125% isobaric bupivacaine and 0.04 mg/kg morphine and Group B (n = 30) received intrathecal 0.5% heavy bupivacaine 12.5 mg and fentanyl 0.35 μg/kg; Epidural Anesthetic bolus (when required/T11Regression) 8 ml 0.25% isobaric bupivacaine and 0.7 μg/kg fentanyl; Epidural Analgesic bolus (postoperative VAS score >30) 5 ml 0.125% isobaric bupivacaine and 0.7 μg/kg fentanyl.Results and Conclusion:Group A had significantly prolonged two segment regression time, T11 regression time, lower mean VAS score, prolonged effective analgesia, and required lesser number of epidural boluses in 24 h as compared to Group B (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups considering onset of sensory block, duration of motor block, median maximum sensory block level achieved after spinal component (T6), median highest sensory block level achieved after epidural anesthetic bolus (T7-4seg enhancement after regression to T11), cardiorespiratory parameters and adverse effects. None of the patients had respiratory depression nor was there any failure of spinal/epidural component of CSEA. Thus, addition of morphine to bupivacaine in CSEA produced prolonged effective anesthesia and postoperative analgesia compared to addition of fentanyl to bupivacaine without producing undue adverse effects.

Dose-Response Curves for Intrathecal Bupivacaine, Levobupivacaine, and Ropivacaine Given for Labor Analgesia in Nulliparous Women.

Bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, and ropivacaine are often given intrathecally for labor analgesia, but limited data are available for their dose-response properties in this context. The objective of this study was to describe the dose-response curves of these local anesthetics when given intrathecally for labor analgesia, to determine values for D50 (dose producing a 50% response) and to compare the calculated values of D50 for levobupivacaine and ropivacaine with those for bupivacaine. With ethics approval and written consent, we randomized 270 nulliparous laboring patients requesting neuraxial analgesia at 5-cm cervical dilation or less to receive a single dose of intrathecal local anesthetic without opioid as part of a combined spinal-epidural technique. Patients received either bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, or ropivacaine at a dose of 0.625, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, 4.0, or 6.25 mg (n = 15 per group). Visual analog scale pain scores were measured for 15 minutes, after which further analgesia and management were at the clinician's discretion. The primary end point was percentage reduction of pain score at 15 minutes. Logistic sigmoidal dose-response curves were fitted to the data using nonlinear regression, and D50 values were calculated for each drug. Data were analyzed from 270 patients. Patient characteristics were similar between groups. The calculated D50 and 95% confidence interval values were as follows: bupivacaine, 1.56 mg (1.25-1.94 mg); ropivacaine, 1.95 mg (1.57-2.43 mg); and levobupivacaine, 2.20 mg (1.76-2.73 mg). The results of this study support previous work showing that intrathecal levobupivacaine and ropivacaine are less potent than bupivacaine. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-09000773) and Centre of Clinical Trials Clinical Registry of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (identifier: CUHK_CCT00245).

Combined Spinal-Epidural for Vaginal Delivery in a Parturient With Takayasu's Arteritis.

Takayasu’s arteritis is a rare, progressive panendarteritis involving all layers of the arterial wall. This disease includes variable involvement of the aorta and its major branches. The most common complication with this condition is severe, uncontrolled hypertension, often leading to end organ dysfunction. We describe the management of a 27-year-old woman diagnosed with Takayasu’s arteritis that presented in labor with intense pain and underwent a combined spinal-epidural for anesthetic management. Per literature review, a combined spinal-epidural technique for planned vaginal delivery has not been described for a laboring Takayasu patient. Our technique, utilizing intrathecal opioids and a low-dose local anesthetic-opioid epidural infusion, provided adequate analgesia while maintaining hemodynamic stability throughout labor augmentation and successful vaginal delivery.

Combined Spinal Epidural Technique for Labor Analgesia Does Not Delay Recognition of Epidural Catheter Failures: A Single-center Retrospective Cohort Survival Analysis.

It is unclear whether recognition of epidural catheter failures is delayed with combined spinal epidural technique (CSE) compared to traditional epidural technique (EPID) when used for labor analgesia. The authors hypothesized that recognition of failed catheters is not delayed by CSE. Anesthetic, obstetric, and quality assurance records from 2,395 labor neuraxial procedures (1,440 CSE and 955 EPID) performed at Forsyth Medical Center (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) between June 30 and December 31, 2012, were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was catheter survival (failure-free) time during labor analgesia. A proportional hazards model with the counting method was used to assess relationships between the techniques and survival (failure-free) time of catheters, while controlling for subjects' body mass index and providers' level of training in the final best-fit multivariable regression model. Cumulative incidence of epidural catheter failures was 6.6% for CSE and 11.6% for EPID (P = 0.001). In the multivariable regression model, catheters placed with CSE versus epidural were less likely to fail (hazard ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.79; P = 0.0002) for labor analgesia. Among the catheters that failed, there was no overall difference in failure time course between the techniques (hazard ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.54; P = 0.26) even though more failed catheters with CSE (48.4%) than with EPID (30.6%) were recognized within the first 30 min of placement (P = 0.009). In this cohort, CSE has a significantly lower risk of overall epidural catheter failures than EPID and does not delay recognition of epidural catheter failures. Choice of CSE versus EPID should be based on overall risk of failure, efficacy, and side effects.

Prophylactic Intravenous Ephedrine to Minimize Fetal Bradycardia After Combined Spinal-epidural Labour Analgesia: A Randomized Controlled Study

(Can J Anaesth. 2015;62(11):1201–1208) The combined spinal-epidural technique has many benefits, including rapid onset, superior first-stage analgesia, and the need for fewer supplemental doses when compared to a standard epidural. For these reasons, this technique is currently gaining in popularity. However, the combined spinal-epidural technique is also known to be associated with a risk of fetal bradycardia. The authors of this study attempted to determine whether the risk of this adverse outcome could be reduced by administering a prophylactic 10 mg dose of intravenous ephedrine. They also evaluated the rate of urgent cesarean delivery, the need for supplemental doses of ephedrine, maternal blood pressure, uterine hypertonus and tachysystole, as well as fetal heart rate patterns before and after the combined spinal-epidural.

Epidural Volume Extension During Combined Spinal-Epidural Labor Analgesia Does Not Increase Sensory Block.

Combined spinal-epidural (CSE) analgesia is widely used for delivering labor analgesia. Epidural volume extension (EVE) involves the injection of fluid into the epidural space compressing the dural sac, causing cephalad shift of the cerebral spinal fluid. Our hypothesis was that EVE with 10 mL normal saline during CSE would increase the sensory block height at 15 minutes after intrathecal injection. We expected EVE to decrease pain scores, decrease analgesia onset time, and decrease motor block compared with performing CSE without EVE (NEVE). We randomly assigned 60 healthy term laboring nulliparous parturients with cervical dilation <5 cm to receive CSE either with EVE of 10 mL normal saline through the Tuohy needle before catheter insertion or CSE NEVE. Intrathecal analgesia consisted of 2 mg plain bupivacaine and 10 μg fentanyl (1 mL total). A blinded researcher assessed sensory dermatome level, analgesia, and motor blockade at regular intervals for 30 minutes. The primary outcome measure was the median peak sensory dermatome level at 15 minutes. Fifty-four parturients were analyzed. There was no significant difference in peak sensory dermatome levels at 15 minutes (median difference, 1 dermatome level; 95% confidence interval of median difference, 0 to 2; P = 0.22) and 30 minutes (median difference, 0 dermatome level; 95% confidence interval, -2 to 2; P = 0.76). There was no difference in the time to peak dermatome, minimum pain score, or the time to minimum pain score between groups. We found no significant difference between groups with regard to sensory dermatome level or pain scores when using EVE compared with NEVE. Our study demonstrates that addition of EVE does not offer superior analgesia when using a CSE technique for parturients requesting labor analgesia.

External Cephalic Version: Some Tricks of the Trade.

External Cephalic Version: Some Tricks of the Trade.

Managing anesthesia for cesarean section in obese patients: current perspectives.

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic. It is associated with increased comorbidities and increased maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications. The risk of cesarean delivery is also increased in obese parturients. Anesthetic management of the obese parturient is challenging and requires adequate planning. Therefore, those patients should be referred to antenatal anesthetic consultation. Anesthesia-related complications and maternal mortality are increased in this patient population. The risk of difficult intubation is increased in obese patients. Neuraxial techniques are the preferred anesthetic techniques for cesarean delivery in obese parturients but can be technically challenging. An existing labor epidural catheter can be topped up for cesarean delivery. In patients who do not have a well-functioning labor epidural, a combined spinal epidural technique might be preferred over a single-shot spinal technique since it is technically easier in obese parturients and allows for extending the duration of the block as required. A continuous spinal technique can also be considered. Studies suggest that there is no need to reduce the dose of spinal bupivacaine in the obese parturient, but there is little data about spinal dosing in super obese parturients. Intraoperatively, patients should be placed in a ramped position, with close monitoring of ventilation and hemodynamic status. Adequate postoperative analgesia is crucial to allow for early mobilization. This can be achieved using a multimodal regimen incorporating neuraxial morphine (with appropriate observations) with scheduled nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen. Thromboprophylaxis is also important in this patient population due to the increased risk of thromboembolic complications. These patients should be monitored carefully in the postoperative period, since there is increased risk of postoperative complications in the morbidly obese parturients.

New Labor Pain Treatment Options.

Presently, the gold standard for pain control in laboring patients is neuraxial blockade, which includes a spinal, epidural, or a combined spinal-epidural technique. In conjunction with neuraxial blockade or by itself, some of the other agents employed related to labor pain include opioids, non-opioids, nitrous oxide, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), and distraction therapy. Alternative treatments include acupuncture, hypnotism, yoga, exercise during pregnancy, hydrotherapy, transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation, massage, and relaxation techniques. This review will focus on current updates and recent trends in labor pain management. Neuraxial management, pharmacotherapy, and newer alternative methods to mitigate labor pain are reviewed. Newer techniques in epidural analgesia include the dural puncture epidural technique, which needs further evaluation. There are limited published data on the use of acupuncture, hypnotism, yoga, exercise during pregnancy, hydrotherapy, transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation, massage, and relaxation techniques in the alleviation of labor pain. These alternative therapies maybe considered as an adjuvant as the analgesic efficiency is inferior to that provided by typical standard pharmacotherapy. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the role of immersion virtual reality in alleviating labor pain.

Catheter failure rates and time course with epidural versus combined spinal-epidural analgesia in labor

BackgroundThe combined spinal-epidural technique for labor analgesia has several advantages over the traditional epidural technique, including faster onset, greater maternal satisfaction, and decreased need for physician boluses. Proponents of the epidural technique criticize the combined spinal-epidural technique, arguing that the epidural catheter remains untested and thus may not be reliable if needed for surgical intervention. We compared failure rates and time of failure between techniques in our tertiary-care academic practice. MethodsData regarding failed catheters were collected from October 2012 to September 2014 as part of our Quality Assurance program. Failed catheters were defined as any catheter replaced after it was considered to be properly placed and then determined to be intravascular, one sided or resulting in poor maternal analgesia or anesthesia. ResultsA total of 5487 analgesics were performed (3980 combined spinal-epidural; 1507 epidural). Eighty-five combined spinal-epidural catheters (2.1%) and 59 epidural catheters (3.9%) were replaced during labor (P<0.001). Mean time to replacement was 512±422min and 354±300min for the combined spinal-epidural (n=80) and epidural (n=57) groups, respectively (P=0.02). Median time to replacement was 398 [IQR 131–578] min and 281 [IQR 186–767] min for combined spinal-epidural and epidural groups, respectively (P<0.0001). ConclusionWe were able to demonstrate that catheters placed using a combined spinal-epidural technique were less likely to fail during labor and that the time to detection of a failed catheter was significantly longer in the combined spinal-epidural group. Our findings validate the combined spinal-epidural technique as reliable for labor analgesia and tend to refute the theory of the untested catheter.

Ijar Low and Ultra-Low CSE Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Sections. Prospective Randomized and Experimental Study

Objective: Regional anesthesia is the preferred technique used in elective cesarean sections. The controversy lies in knowing what dose of local anesthetic allows for the safety of both mother and fetus during the procedure. The combined spinal-epidural technique (CSE) allows the intradural dose to be lowered, ensuring an adequate block through additional epidural doses. Our aim was to study the success of the technique. Method: We carried out a prospective, randomized study of 102 women scheduled for cesarean section. Our objective was to study the incidence of maternal hypotension, the success of the technique, motor block, and repercussions in parameters of fetal well-being after performing a combined technique (CSE) with low and ultra-low doses of hyperbaric levobupivacaine (LB-5mg versus LB-3.75mg) plus epidural extension with 10ml of isobaric levobupivacaine 0.25%. Results: We found no difference in the incidence of maternal hypotension between our groups. The overall success of the technique was 81.4% directly relating to the length of the surgical procedure. 18.6% of the patients required some type of analgesic booster in the course of the study. We found no difference in the type of neonatal resuscitation used, but there was a statistically significant difference in umbilical cord arterial pH. Conclusion: The use of low and ultra-low doses can be an alternative in carefully selected cases. The doses used were sufficient for the cesarean section to be performed in the majority of our study subjects. We did not find evident advantages with regard to the incidence of maternal hypotension and we do not believe that the use of ultra-low doses proves beneficial.

Central neuraxial blocks: Complacency begets complications.

Central neuraxial blocks: Complacency begets complications.

Gabapentin vs pregabalin as a premedication in lower limb orthopaedics surgery under combined spinal epidural technique.

Background:Pregabalin and gabapentin are the gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs used as a part of multimodal analgesic regimen.Aim:To compare the postoperative analgesic benefits of gabapentin or pregabalin as a premedication for lower limb orthopedic surgery under combined spinal-epidural techniques.Settings and Design:Randomized double-blind study.Materials and Methods:A total of 90 patients were divided into three groups: G, P, C who received gabapentin 1200 mg, pregabalin 300 mg, and placebo, respectively 1.5 h before surgery. All patients received combined spinal-epidural block with 3 ml of 0.5% intrathecal bupivacaine. Assessment of pain was made with visual analog scale (VAS). Postoperative analgesia was provided with epidural top-ups with 2.5 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and fentanyl 25 μg when VAS >3. Rescue analgesia in the form of injection diclofenac (75 mg) intramuscularly was given if VAS >3 even after epidural top-up. A total number of epidural top-ups, rescue analgesia, pain-free interval postspinal anesthesia, and sedation score were noted.Statistical Analysis:This was done using SPSS version 17. Mean and standard deviation were calculated using Chi-square test and analysis of variance.Results:The total postoperative analgesic time was 7.23 h in Group G, 14.80 h in Group P, and 4.17 h in Group C. A total number of epidural top-ups were 2.43 in Group G, 0.77 in Group P, and 4.43 in Group C.Conclusion:Pregabalin 300 mg and gabapentin 1200 mg significantly reduce the need of postoperative rescue analgesia, epidural top-ups, and increase the duration of postspinal anesthesia without altering hemodynamics with sedation as a major side effect.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Intrathecal Fentanyl 20 μg vs Sufentanil 5 μg as Adjuvant to Bupivacaine 0.5% (12.5 mg) using Combined Spinal Epidural Technique for Lower Limb Orthopedic Surgeries

ABSTRACTAimTo compare the efficacy and safety of intrathecal fentanyl 20 μg vs sufentanil 5 μg as adjuvant to bupivacaine 0.5% (12.5 mg) using combined spinal epidural (CSE) technique for lower limb orthopedic surgeries.BackgroundUse of local anesthetics along with opioids intrathecally has been widely reported. We aimed to compare two commonly used opioids as adjuvants to local anesthetic agents in combined spinal epidural techniques.Materials and methodsA total of 60 patients were recruited in this prospective, randomized, double-blind study to receive either intrathecal sufentanil 5 μg (Group S) or fentanyl 20 μg (Group F) as adjuvants to 12.5 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. The onset and duration of sensory and motor block and the pain scores were assessed perioperatively. Duration of analgesia was recorded. The incidence of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, pruritus, shivering. and postdural puncture headache (PDPH) were recorded.ResultsDemographic data and hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were comparable in both the groups. Onset of analgesia—time to reach highest level of analgesia—was faster in the sufentanil group. Sufentanil group patients had higher grade of motor block. Patients in fentanyl group had higher score of sedation than those of sufentanil group. None of the patients in any group had nausea, vomiting, or pruritus.ConclusionAddition of either fentanyl or sufentanil to intrathecal bupivacaine as an adjuvant in CSE technique enhances the quality of analgesia and motor block with minimal side effects. Hence, this is useful in orthopedic patients, especially in the geriatric age group.How to cite this articleUmbarkar SR, Gandhi MN, Iyer HR, Thawale RS. Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Intrathecal Fentanyl 20 μgvsSufentanil 5 μg as Adjuvant to Bupivacaine 0.5% (12.5 mg) using Combined Spinal Epidural Technique for Lower Limb Orthopedic Surgeries. Res Inno Anaesth 2016;1(1):1-4.

Quality of analgesia on onset and duration of sensory and motor block during early part of labor

Background: Childbirth is a painful event but suffering from it is optional. Since the availability of epidural analgesia during labor, it has become a milestone in obstetric analgesia because millions of parturients all over the world are opting it during childbirth because of effective pain relief. Objective: This study was conducted to compare onset duration of sensory and motor blockade and quality of analgesia of intrathecal bupivacaine 1.25 mg and fentanyl 25 µg in combined spinal epidural technique in early stage of labor. Materials and Methods: Sixty primigravid or second gravid belonging to ASA grade I and II with singleton pregnancy, cephalic presentation in active labor were selected. Used bupivacaine 1.25 mg and fentanyl 25 µg made to 2 ml with normal saline for group I and bupivacaine 2.5 mg and fentanyl 25 µg made 2 ml with normal saline for group II. Result: The onset of analgesia was 204 s in group I and 87 s in group II after initial spinal component of combined spinal–epidural analgesia CSEA. The average dermatomal level of sensory blockade achieved was T9 in group I and T7–T8 in group II. Variation in pulse and blood pressure is minimal in group II. Conclusion: Needle technique of CSEA has rapid onset of action with 1.25mg of bupivacaine and fentanyl 25μg. It has minimal effect of motor blockade, sensory blockade and Blood pressure with rapid onset of analgesia achieved within 4–10 min.

Transient loss of voice during labour analgesia.

Sir, A 30-year-old full term American Society of Anesthesiologists 1 primigravida patient was administered labour analgesia (LA) on demand at 4-5 cm cervical dilation employing combined spinal epidural (CSE) technique. In sitting position, assuring asepsis, 18 g epidural catheter was sited in L2-3 space threaded up to 10 cm, checked and fixed. After that, 1cc of 0.125% preservative free isobaric bupivacaine (1cc of 0.25% preservative free bupivacaine double diluted with sterile normal saline) and 10 μg fentanyl was injected intrathecally via 26 g Quincke needle at L3-4 space. Maternal and foetal vital parameters remained stable. She had satisfactory pain relief in 10 min and was chatting comfortably when suddenly after 12 min, we noticed loss of voice (she was unable to talk). Other than that there was no neurodeficit or dyspnoea. Spinal level was limited to T6. She was fully awake, oriented and continued communication with us by writing. All maternal and foetal vital parameters remained normal. She was pain free and her labour progressed normally. She was worried but not hysterical. No further abnormality was revealed in neurology consultation. As no further deterioration was noted, we counselled the patient and relatives regarding this event being a rare but reversible drug side effect and reassured them about both maternal and foetal well-being. Epidural bolus was held off, which otherwise would be given at 30 min after spinal injection. By 45 min of the event the phonation started returning and by 1 h she was able to speak normally. Simultaneously cervix was found to be fully dilated and she went on to have a normal vaginal delivery. Ten millilitre 0.25% bupivacaine was given epidurally for episiotomy suturing. The epidural catheter was removed after suturing. The post-operative recovery, hospital stay and follow up for 3 months was uneventful. Cerebral complications of preeclampsia, thrombo-embolic phenomena, absence seizure or high spinal can mimic symptoms of transient ischaemic attack in a parturient. However, our patient did not fit into any of these categories. Kuczkowski and Goldsworthy[1] reported a case of a previously healthy parturient who received 10 μg of fentanyl combined with 2.5 mg of bupivacaine intrathecally as a part of CSE technique for LA and At 4 min after intrathecal injection she suddenly developed transient aphonia and aphagia. The pinprick sensory level of analgesia was found to be at T3 and her symptoms resolved in 20 min. Gupta et al.[2] reported aphonia and aphagia in a male patient posted for lower limb debridement at 3 min after receiving 12.5 mg heavy bupivacaine with 25 μg fentanyl intrathecally which recovered spontaneously in 10-15 min. In both cases the authors believe extensive cephalad spread of fentanyl through the Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as the cause for neurological symptoms. There has been a study which noted rapid cephalad spread of fentanyl in the cervical CSF after lumbar administration.[3] Sudden onset, life-threatening respiratory depression have been reported following administration of intrathecal fentanyl for labour analgesia which suggest that lipophilic opioids may move rapidly from lumbar cistern to brainstem level via CSF.[4] There may be more rapid rise in CSF concentrations of drug due to pregnancy related changes. Rapid clearance of fentanyl from the CSF might explain the transient nature of symptoms. Some cases have been reported where similar side effects were noted to be reversed using opioid antagonists naloxone and nalbuphine[5] supporting the cause to be the opioid. Many similar unreported incidences may have been attributed to over anxious and hysterical nature of patients. CSE using fentanyl is one of the established techniques for labour analgesia with minimal side effects. It is necessary to be aware of this rare side effect and maintain composure, provide reassurance to patient and reverse drug effect if needed. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.

Incremental epidural anaesthesia for emergency caesarean section in a patient with ostium secundum atrial septal defect and severe pulmonary stenosis with right to left shunt.

Sir, Association of atrial septal defect (ASD) and pulmonary stenosis (PS) with bidirectional shunt in pregnancy is a very rare entity. Death can occur anytime during pregnancy or labour in these patients, precipitated by altered cardiovascular physiology of pregnancy.[1] A 25-year-old primi, an unbooked case with 38 weeks of gestation was posted for emergency caesarean section (CS) for cephalopelvic disproportion. In the second trimester, assessment of breathlessness (NYHA Grade III) with two-dimensional echocardiography revealed an ostium secundum type of ASD (8 mm × 10 mm) with predominantly right to left shunt (Qp: Qs - 0.85), severe PS (Maximum velocity [Vmax ]/peak pressure gradient [PGmax ] - 4.8 m/s/70.4 mm Hg), mild tricuspid regurgitation (Vmax /PGmax - 2.7 m/s/30.5 mm Hg), mild pulmonary regurgitation (Vmax /PGmax - 2.1 m/s/17.58 mm Hg), right ventricular hypertrophy (right ventricle diastolic wall thickness 6 mm) and normal biventricular function with ejection fraction of 60%. In the operation room, oxygen saturation (on room air) was 90-95%, pulse rate was 114/min regular and noninvasive blood pressure was 150/90 mmHg. The patient was premedicated with injection ranitidine (50 mg) and injection metoclopramide (10 mg) and colloid was started at 50 ml/h. Injection ceftriaxone 1 g was administered for antibiotic coverage. The initial central venous pressure was 13 cm H2O and was maintained between 12 and 14 cm H2O. Under aseptic precautions, an 18-gauge epidural catheter was inserted at L3 -L4 epidural interspace. A total volume of 20 ml local anaesthetic solution (13 ml of 2% lignocaine with adrenaline (5 μg/ml) and 1 ml of sodium bicarbonate and 1 ml (50 mg) of tramadol diluted with 5 ml saline) was administered through the epidural catheter in 5 ml increments for achieving a block height up to T4 dermatome. At the time of skin incision, injection ketamine (50 mg) and injection midazolam (1 mg) was administered in titrating doses. CS proceeded uneventfully, and a healthy male baby was delivered with Apgar score of 8 and 9 at 1 and 5 min, respectively. A bolus dose of 0.4 mg intravenous methylergometrine was administered slowly, and a slow infusion of oxytocin 10 units was started. The surgery lasted for about 60 min, and the blood loss was 500 ml. A total of 450 ml colloid and 100 ml oxytocin-normal saline infusion was given. Post-operative analgesia was provided with epidural top-up, whenever the patient complained of pain or visual analogue score was ≥4. At 48th h of follow-up, she had maximal scores for post-operative pain relief and overall satisfaction. She was discharged on the 7th post-operative day and referred to cardiology department for further management. The mortality in patients with ASD and severe PS with right to left shunt in pregnancy is unknown,[2] as many unsuccessful cases are not reported. In our case, although the patient was having reversal of shunt, she was asymptomatic and had no signs of chronic cyanosis. This may be due to hyperdynamic circulation of pregnancy producing increased pulmonary gradients and the restrictive ASD causing inadequate mixing of blood to produce clinical cyanosis.[3] Epidural anaesthesia (EA) was planned because of its slower onset and less and delayed haemodynamic variations compared to spinal and combined spinal-epidural technique.[4] General anaesthesia (GA) poses clear risks related to pulmonary vascular resistance and magnitude of the shunt. As the patient was in labour, we had no sufficient time for further cardiac evaluation. Pulse oximeter is used to assess the degree of right to left shunt during the peri-operative period.[5] Our principle was to maintain the cardiac output and to avoid the fall in systemic vascular resistance (SVR). We optimised the SVR based on mean arterial pressure to avoid the increase in shunt magnitude. Oxytocin bolus can cause direct vasodilatation and reduce SVR with a compensatory increase in heart rate and cardiac output in pregnant women. Use of methylergometrine lowered the use of vasoconstrictors[6] and added to haemodynamic stability. Colloids provide greater haemodynamic stability by remaining in the intravascular space for longer time and avoid volume overloading; this helps to decrease the magnitude of shunt and right ventricular failure.[7] The use of lower dose of lignocaine with adrenaline, bicarbonate and tramadol provided a more rapid onset and superior quality block to touch.[8] We did not institute any thromboprophylaxis measures; EA itself can reduce risk of perioperative venous stasis and embolism. To conclude, EA can be safely and effectively used for CS in pregnant patients having pulmonary vascular disease with reversal of shunts provided the SVR is maintained throughout the surgical procedure. Major haemodynamic complications and risk of embolism during GA can be avoided if EA is properly planned and administered. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.