title: Anesthesia complications in the birthplace: is the neuraxial block always to blame?
abstract: This article highlights the common and some of the very serious complications that may occur following neuraxial analgesia for labor and delivery, including headache, backache, infection, hypotension, and hematoma. Total spinal and failed block also are discussed, as are complications unique to epidural anesthesia, such as the intravascular injection of large volumes of local anesthetic (causing seizure or cardiac arrest) and accidental dural puncture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital Center for Patient Safety, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA. dbirnbach@miami.edu
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Birnbach
authors.forename: J Sudharma
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ranasinghe
mesh_terms: D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local