Key result
UK survey finds ~68% administer full epidural extension doses in delivery rooms alongside adverse incidents.
Why the study?
The conversion of epidural analgesia to surgical anaesthesia for emergency Caesarean section has important medical and medicolegal implications, but current UK management practices were unclear.
Population
Lead obstetric anaesthetists in all UK maternity units with 209 respondents
Comparison
Current management practices for extending epidural blockade for emergency Caesarean section
Design
Postal questionnaire survey
Authors
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Variation in epidural extension practice may compromise safety during transfer; leaves open the need for standardized protocols and prospective studies.
Cross-Sectional (n=209)
Yes
A UK survey reveals significant variation in practice and a lack of monitoring during patient transfer when extending epidural blockade for emergency Caesarean section, highlighting potential safety concerns.
Regan et al. (2008) conducted a cross-sectional in Emergency Caesarean section (n=209). Current management for extending epidural blockade was evaluated. A survey of 209 UK maternity units found that 68% administer the full local anaesthetic dose in the delivery room, while 33 respondents reported 43 adverse incidents associated with epidural extension.
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