title: [Infectious complications after peridural obstetric anesthesia].
abstract: Infective complications after epidural anesthesia for delivery are uncommon. We reviewed 21 cases of epidural abscesses, 7 cases of meningitis and one spondylitis reported in the literature. These infections usually occurred in debilitated patients either by direct contamination at puncture or indirectly from a neighboring infection or from the blood stream. Prognosis depends on early diagnosis. The first manifestations are spinal stiffness or local pain. Signs of neurological deficiency come later at a stage when complete recovery is compromised. This emphasizes the importance of the clinical examination before delivery in search for skin or deep infections.
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine Interne/Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier de Châteauroux.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marsaudon
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berthier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eyhorn-Berthier
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology*; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008581:Meningitis / Q000209:etiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000209:etiology*