Conclusions
The practice of obstetric anaesthesia can be highly rewarding. The clinician prepared with an understanding of maternal-fetal physiology (obstetric requirements), systemic narcotics, and regional anaesthesia can be highly effective at relieving pain and bringing about a successful delivery. While alternative techniques should always be considered, particularly those that stress childbirth education, continuous lumbar analgesia remains the most flexible and satisfactory approach. While there is new equipment (fine needles and smaller catheters) on the horizon, it remains to be demonstrated if they can match the success and safety record of present lumbar epidural practice.
Conclusion
La pratique de l’anesthésie obstétricale peut être tres encourageante. Le clinicien bien préparé avec une compréhension de la physiologie foeto-maternelle, des narcotiques systémiques, et de l’anesthésie régionale sera trés habile à soulager la douleur et à amener un accouchement réussi. Même si des approches alternatives devraient toujours être prises en considération, particulièrement celles qui insistent sur l’éducation à la naissance, l’analgésie lombaire continue demeure l’approche la plus flexible et la plus satisfaisante. Même s’il y a de l’équipement nouveau (aiguilles fines et petits cathéters) à l’horizon, il faut d’abord démontrer qu’il a le même taux de succès et de sécurité que l’analgésie épidurale lombaire telle que pratiquée actuellement.
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Hughes, S.C. Analgesia methods during labour and delivery. Can J Anaesth 39 (Suppl 1), R18–R28 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03008840
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03008840