Neurologic complications of neuraxial analgesia for labor

Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology
D J BirnbachAndré A J van Zundert

Abstract

In today's anesthesia practice, provision of neuraxial anesthesia and analgesia is increasing. Along with the patient's fear of paralysis that accompanies placement of a needle near the spinal cord, any subsequent nerve deficit is usually blamed on the neuraxial block provided. Knowing the side effects from labor, neuraxial anesthesia or both is important as anesthesiologists are the first consultants to evaluate whenever a complication arises in these patients if there is a sensory or motor deficit in the lower extremities. Neuraxial anesthesia may be associated with complaints of back pain, postdural puncture headache and severe complications (e.g., hematoma, abscess), but most complications following neuraxial blocks are associated with pregnancy and delivery, not the anesthetic. Signs and symptoms of the most common neurologic complications are described so that the clinician can promptly diagnose and treat these patients and seek appropriate consultation. Even though the incidence of true neurologic complications arising from neuraxial anesthesia is not known, they appear to be very rare. As anesthesiologists, providing care encompasses knowing the side effects and complications of the anesthetic we provide. Many of the ne...Continue Reading

References

Jul 1, 1994·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·S C ColachisE W Johnson
Apr 13, 2000·The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research·H S Qublan, H al-Sayegh
Aug 17, 2002·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Charlotte J HowellRichard B Johanson
Sep 5, 2002·Muscle & Nerve·Bashar KatirjiDavid C Preston
Dec 5, 2002·European Journal of Anaesthesiology·O De TommasoV Tagariello
Apr 18, 2003·Anesthesiology Clinics of North America·Uma Munnur, Maya S Suresh
Oct 23, 2003·British Journal of Anaesthesia·D K Turnbull, D B Shepherd
Jun 29, 2004·Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
Aug 24, 2004·International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia·C C LooL Irestedt
Aug 24, 2004·International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia·S Yentis
Aug 24, 2004·International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia·N KayacanM Erman
Jan 28, 2005·Anesthesia and Analgesia·Gary Peters, Nigel P Hinds

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 26, 2014·Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica·X-H KangS-M Zhu
Feb 19, 2008·Clinics in Perinatology·David J Birnbach, J Sudharma Ranasinghe
Feb 3, 2011·Korean journal of anesthesiology·Kum Hee ChungMin Ku Kim
Mar 22, 2014·Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society·Gerasimos BaltsaviasStephanie Mpata-Tshibemba

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.