Review Note

Last Update: 03/02/2025 08:01 PM

Current Deck: ACG Part 2::Obstetrics

New Card (Unpublished)

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Field Change Suggestions:
SS_OB 1.24 Discuss the role of combined spinal epidural analgesia in labour
Benefits of CSE over epidural
  • Faster onset of analgesia 2-5mins compared 
  • Reduced need for rescue analgesia 
  • Lower risk of unilateral block 
  • Decreased motor block - with superior leg power 
  • Despite purposeful dural puncture PDPH does not appear to be increased 
  • No difference in rates of forceps delivery or C section 

Adverse effects
  • Increased incidence of puritis 
  • Increased incidence of fetal bradycardia compared to epidural 

Spinal technique allows more rapid onset of symmetric analgesia including sacral analgesia than a conventional epidural technique. 
  • Involvement of a continuous technique provides analgesia throughout labour and delivery, with the option to convert to C section. 
  • Evidence suggests epidural catheters placed at time of CSE are at least as reliable or more reliable than stand alone epidurals. 

TECHNIQUES
  • Needle through needle 
    • Specially designed needles, risk of migration of needle during intrathecal administration. Placing epidural first increases risk of damage to the epidural catheter. 
    • Associated with greater patient satisfaction 
    • May be quicker to perform 
  • Separate needle technique 
    • Reduced rates of failure of spinal component : 5-20% failure reported for needle through needle, in experienced hands decreases to 1-5% failure compared to <5% failure 
  • Double barrelled needles 
    • Few studies on their efficacy.