[Maternal and neonatal effects of remifentanil for general anaesthesia for Caesarean delivery].
OBJECTIVE
Opioids are routinely omitted at the induction of general anesthesia for Caesarean delivery because of the risks of respiratory neonatal depression. The short-acting opioid remifentanil may afford advantages at the induction and surgical stimulation, without subsequent neonatal depression.


METHODS
In this double-blinded study, 40 at term women undergoing elective Caesarean section and requiring general anaesthesia were allocated randomly to receive either remifentanil (0,5 microg/kg) at the induction of anaesthesia (G1, n=20) or placebo (G2, n=20). Induction of anaesthesia was performed with propofol 2 mg/kg and succinylcholine 1 mg/kg. Anaesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide in oxygen (50/50%, v/v), propofol (100 microg/kg/min), remifentanil (0.2 microg/kg/min) and atracurium. Neonates were assessed by using Apgar scores, possible respiratory depression, with or without ventilation in the mask or intubation and umbilical cord blood gas (artery: UA and vein: UV). Values are expressed as mean values +/-SD. Pearson's Chi squared and t-test were used for statistical analysis P<0.05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
Maternal systolic pressure, mean pressure and heart rate were significantly higher in G1 at induction. Apgar scores, heart and respiratory rate were similar between groups. Seven episodes of respiratory depressions were noted (3 in G1, 4 in G2). Five neonates required only brief assisted ventilation by face-mask (2 in G1, 3 in G2).


CONCLUSIONS
Remifentanil (0.5 microg/kg) at the induction of anaesthesia in elective Caesarean section under general anaesthesia can be used without subsequent neonatal depression. However, we believe that further research is necessary to extrapolate these results to a pregnancy carrying an acutely distressed foetus.
Bouattour
L
L
Service d'anesthésie et de réanimation, EPS Habib-Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisie. bouattour.lotfi@voila.fr
Ben Amar
H
H
Bouali
Y
Y
Kolsi
K
K
Gargouri
A
A
Khemakhem
K
K
Kallel
N
N
Trabelsi
K
K
Guermazi
M
M
Rekik
A
A
Karoui
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000379:methods; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001034:Apgar Score; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D000077208:Remifentanil; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D010880:Piperidines; D000077208:Remifentanil