General anaesthesia during early pregnancy.
General anaesthesia in the early stages of pregnancy may carry an increased risk of embryotoxicity. One hundred and six women scheduled for non-emerency surgery were interviewed preoperatively and their menstrual history taken. Forty-three (41 per cent) were considered to be using adequate contraceptive therapy. Thirty-one (29 per cent) of the patients could have been in the early stages of pregnancy, and of these women, 19 (61 per cent) were undergoing surgery of a minor nature. Simple history taking identified the women 'at risk' and it is suggested that surgery could have been delayed without detriment in many cases.
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation; D008875:Middle Aged; D013511:Minor Surgical Procedures; D010060:Ovulation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012306:Risk; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral