Complications of obstetric epidural analgesia and anaesthesia: a prospective analysis of 10,995 cases.

摘要: Although epidural anaesthesia and analgesia are widely used in obstetrics, there no large contemporary prospective series detailing associated complications. Prospective data was collected on all obstetric blocks performed for labour delivery a single institution between July 1989 August 1994. A entry sheet compiled entered onto computer database. Confidence intervals proportions were calculated using standard methods. Information from 10 995 analysed. Epidural the primary indication 7648, caesarean section 3311. Minor complications included failed or abandoned insertion (incidence 0.5%), reinsertion of catheter (5%), inadequate (1.7%) (0.9%). Three percent with venous puncture 0.6% accidental dural puncture. Maternal mortality zero. Unexpectedly high occurred eight occasions (0.07%), two requiring intubation ventilation. women (0.06%) experienced mild respiratory depression after postoperative opioid. There major local anaesthetic toxicity neurological deficit. The incidence potentially life-threatening morbidity thus 0.02% although both cases outcome good. only persisting complication neurological, an apparent catheter-induced traumatic mononeuropathy.