open access
Perinatal complications associated with neuraxial blocks
, 2, 2, 2
Affiliations- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Independent Public Teaching Hospital No 4 in Lublin, Poland
- I Clinic of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
open access
Abstract
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.
Abstract
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.
Keywords
complications; adverse effects; neuraxial anaesthesia; obstetrical anaesthesia; epidural analgesia; spinal anaesthesia
About this articleTitle
Perinatal complications associated with neuraxial blocks
Journal
Issue
Article type
Review paper
Pages
446-452
Published online
2021-04-14
Page views
1118
Article views/downloads
749
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Ginekol Pol 2021;92(6):446-452.
Keywords
complications
adverse effects
neuraxial anaesthesia
obstetrical anaesthesia
epidural analgesia
spinal anaesthesia
Authors
Agata Klimkowicz
Rafal Rutyna
Edyta Kotlinska-Hasiec
Wojciech Dabrowski
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