Obstetric anaesthetic deaths in context.
OBJECTIVE
Although there have been few recent publications about obstetric deaths due to anaesthesia, it is timely to review their occurrence and put them into context. Health services are under constant review and a recent Department of Health publication highlights the need for safer care. Changes, including those related to training and permitted hours of work, may impact on safety. Without knowing where we are now, we cannot know whether these changes are an improvement or not.


RESULTS
The UK Confidential Enquiry reports have tracked anaesthetic-related deaths since 1952. During the 1990 s, the numbers became almost irreducible: the last report gave six deaths caused by anaesthesia. This review puts these into a global perspective.


CONCLUSIONS
Medical intervention undoubtedly saves many lives. Concerns about a possible increase in anaesthetic maternal mortality must be kept in perspective with the overall benefits. The growing complexity of problems such as maternal disease, obesity, and the increasing age of motherhood, nevertheless, increases the challenges presented. Multidisciplinary working is all-important.
Moore
Philip A S
PA
University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.phil_moore@bigfoot.com
Cooper
Griselda M
GM
D000328:Adult; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology