Evidence-based anesthesia: fever of unknown origin in parturients and neuraxial anesthesia.
The safety of neuraxial analgesia in febrile patients is controversial. We performed an evidenced-based project in an effort to establish a guideline for our active obstetric clinical practice. Neuraxial anesthesia is generally safe for parturients, and complications are rare; however, serious adverse outcomes can result. Because of the devastating nature of the morbidity, the decision to proceed with a neuraxial anesthetic in the face of infection may be contentious. Fever and sepsis are considered relative contraindications to regional anesthesia; however, epidural anesthesia is a superior method of management of pain during labor. One must also consider that 30% to 40% of patients with chorioamnionitis require cesarean delivery. Because of the increased morbidity and mortality of general anesthesia in this population, it may be reasonable to proceed with regional anesthesia. Based on a review of the literature, it is difficult to estimate the risk of an infrequently occurring event. We recommend evaluation of each individual to determine the risks and benefits of the anesthetic. However, it is prudent to administer antibiotics before the regional anesthetic and adhere to strict aseptic technique. Postprocedure monitoring is essential for early detection and treatment of complications.
Navy Nurse Corps Anesthesia Program, San Diego, California, USA. lisa.osborne@med.navy.mil
Lisa
L
Osborne
Michelle
M
Snyder
Dante
D
Villecco
Aaron
A
Jacob
Shawn
S
Pyle
Nancy
N
Crum-Cianflone
D000328:Adult; D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000075202:Contraindications; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000209:etiology; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D048949:Labor Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D009719:Nurse Anesthetists; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017751:Safety Management
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents