No abstract

A new anesthetic method (fentanyl-midazolam-flumazenil) was compared with a previously administered anesthetic regimen (pethidine-diazepam-ketamine) in two groups of 25 women, each of whom underwent termination of pregnancy. No significant difference was found between the two groups in quality of anesthesia. Recovery was assessed by means of the Aldrete score and a visual analog scale. The recovery time was significantly shorter in patients who received the fentanyl-midazolam-flumazenil.

An international investigation was undertaken into practices of pre-anesthetic evaluation provided for obstetrical patients in outpatient clinics. A questionnaire was completed by 21/36 (58%) obstetric units. Only 5 (23%) had an outpatient clinic for preanesthetic evaluation of the obstetric patient, but in 10 (37%) anesthetists take part in the prenatal examinations and give advice in cases of complicated pregnancy.

Peridural morphine analgesia is a well tested method of pain relief for patients with gynecological tumors which are in an advanced stage. Traditional methods of fixation can slightly inconvenience the patient when cleaning and dressing procedures are being carried out, and the cannula can be displaced or damaged. Fifty patients were treated with subcutaneously tunnelled peridural cannula. The procedure and its favorable results are described.