Review Note

Last Update: 03/05/2025 03:58 AM

Current Deck: ACG Part 2::Obstetrics

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Field Change Suggestions:
SS_OB 1.29 Discuss the management of suboptimal block including conversion to general anaesthesia for caesarean birth


Patchy epidural:
  • If no block, remove 
    • Repeat epidural 
    • Perform spinal (beware that volume in epidural space may increase height of spinal -> slight dose reduction and position head up
  • If partial/inadequate 
    • Withdraw epidural slightly 
    • Resite epidural 
    • If toxic limit of LA reached : Perform spinal or GA 

Inadequate spinal
  • If no block, a repeat spinal may be done 
  • If partial but inadequate block, consider epidural insertion and slow top up
  • Conversion to GA 

Intra-operative inadequate block 
  • Inform surgeon and request the stop if possible 
  • Acknopwledge the patient 
  • Assess the stage of surgery and instigate treatment 
    • If skin closure LA infiltration may be reasonable 
    • Other options include
      • Additional epidural bolus 
      • Entonox 
      • IV analgesics  : small doses fentanyl 10-20mcg, alfentanil 100mch or remi 10-20mch increments, ketamine - may cause distress with dysphoria but prefered if high risk to opioids (obsesity/OSA) 10mg increments 
      • Conversion GA -always offer 
  • Reassess - if treatment not effective reccomend GA


Oxford handbook
Waikato obstetric guidelines