Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology 2009, 22:352–356 Purpose of review We describe the different possible anaesthetic techniques for an emergency caesarean section. To choose the right method of anaesthesia may have major implications for mother, child and all involved personnel. The major controversy is whether one have other or better alternatives or both than general anaesthesia, with a rapid...

A study of core temperature monitoring during general anesthesia indicates that this can be introduced as a routine procedure in order to reduce mortality from malignant hyperpyrexia. The temperature profiles of 2410 patients are presented. Both mean rectal and mean oesophageal temperatures decreased during general anaesthesia. The mean oesophageal temperatures were on average 0.6 degrees C les...

MANY ophthalmic operations can be performed under local analgesia and this technique is used with satisfaction in all parts of the world today; in fact many surgeons and consultant anaesthetists are satisfied that the best results are obtained by this method. On the other hand, general anaesthesia is used much more than formerly and in some centres it is used routinely for most operations, incl...

The effects of anaesthesia on serum thyroid hormones were studied in 32 pregnant young women undergoing Caesarean section at term. Eighteen patients received general anaesthesia and 14 lumbar extradural blockade. Maternal serum concentrations of thyrotrophin (TSH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) were measured using radioimmunoassay at 0, delivery and 24...

Objective: This study is to ascertain the preferred choice of anaesthetic technique and their reasons, among pre gnant women schedule for caesarean section during preoperative visit in Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe. Methodology: This was a three year prospective study [from June, 2010May, 2013] of pregnant women sched uled for either elective or emergency caesarean section. During the preope...

Large observational studies of accurate data can provide similar results to more arduous and expensive randomised controlled trials. In 2012, the National Hip Fracture Database extended its dataset to include 'type of anaesthesia' data fields. We analysed 65 535 patient record sets to determine differences in outcome. Type of anaesthesia was recorded in 59 191 (90%) patients. Omitting patients ...

BACKGROUND Anaesthesia guidelines recommend regional anaesthesia for most caesarean sections due to the risk of failed intubation and aspiration with general anaesthesia. However, general anaesthesia is considered to be safe for the foetus, based on limited evidence, and is still used for caesarean sections. METHODS Cohorts of caesarean sections by indication (that is, planned repeat caesarea...

If there is a need for training in general anaesthesia I believe it must be because of frequent administration of general anaesthesia by the dentist. Observation suggests to me that today very few dentists in South Africa ad­ minister general anaesthetics. General anaesthetics in South African dental practice are usually administered either by specialist anaesthetists or by general medical prac...

We have reviewed 5802 Caesarean sections performed during general anaesthesia. Our use of general anaesthesia had decreased from 83% in 1981 to 23% in 1994. Despite this, the incidence of failed intubation has increased from 1 in 1984 to 1 in 250 in 1994. The problems associated with general anaesthesia in the obstetric population are increasing. Asians and African/Afrocaribbeans were represent...