A review of obstetric epidural anaesthesia, British Military Hospital, Rinteln 1980-1985.

A retrospective study was undertaken of all epidurals inserted on the labour ward in BMH Rinteln from 1980 to 1985 inclusive, during which time both obstetricians and anaesthetists participated in providing an epidural service. It was impossible to show any difference between the expertise of anaesthetists and obstetricians in siting epidurals, when the incidence of complications or failed analgesia was compared. However, epidurals inserted by obstetricians were more likely to be converted to general anaesthetics for operative procedures than those inserted by anaesthetists, although no adequate explanation for this could be found. Given increasing patient demand for a 24-hour epidural service, and the logistic difficulties in Service hospitals of providing sufficient anaesthetic staff for this, obstetricians can be trained to help provide such a service.