Neuraxial anesthesia can be complicated by spinal or epidural hematoma and may result in permanent neurologic injury. There is a paucity of literature characterizing this serious complication in patients with congenital and acquired hemorrhagic disorders or tendencies. The objective of this scoping review was to describe the hemostatic laboratory parameters where neuraxial anesthesia has been administered with and without spinal and epidural hematoma in patients with preexisting hemorrhagic disorders and tendencies, including immune thrombocytopenia, gestational thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenia associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, platelet function disorders, von Willebrand disease, coagulation factor deficiencies, and fibrinogen disorders. A systematic search of Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed. Two authors independently reviewed all titles, abstracts, and full texts to determine study eligibility and extract data. Qualitative synthesis of 91 studies revealed significant gaps in our understanding of the risk of spinal and epidural hematoma in patients with hemorrhagic disorders and tendencies, including few studies of males and in nonobstetric settings. Most reviewed articles were small, retrospective studies at high risk for potential bias. With such low‐quality data, we were unable to provide any true estimates of the risk of spinal or epidural hematoma for these patients, nor could we attribute any specific hemostatic or laboratory values to increased risk of hematoma. There is a need both for larger and more rigorously designed and reported studies on this subject and for structured, comprehensive recommendations for safe administration and removal of neuraxial anesthesia in patients with hemorrhagic disorders and tendencies.

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BackgroundBy analyzing the perspectives of village health worker/trainers with the Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP), this study aimed to investigate their level of knowledge of treatment, risks, and prevention of complications of labor and delivery and to evaluate current teaching methods.MethodsThree focus groups of six village health workers/trainers were conducted and divided according to level of experience. The resulting semistructured discussion was analyzed according to grounded theory.ResultsParticipants displayed strong content retention with respect to clinically relevant knowledge. Village health workers experienced barriers, including lack of education and casteism, which affected their ability to establish trust in the community. Clinical observation was perceived to be the most effective learning method and is recommended for teaching village health workers about the treatment and prevention of the complications of labor and delivery.ConclusionWhen implementing this training model in comparable global communities, local culture and its impact on establishing trust is an important factor to consider.

Introduction Epidural and spinal hematoma are rare but potentially devastating complications of neuraxial anesthesia. Individuals with pre-existing bleeding disorders and tendencies are likely at higher risk of these feared complications, however there are currently no comprehensive recommendations to direct the use of neuraxial anesthesia in these patients. Objective Our objectives were to create a set of consensus recommendations to advise clinicians on appropriate treatment thresholds prior to neuraxial anesthesia for patients with a variety of common and uncommon bleeding disorders and tendencies, and to propose safe hemostatic thresholds for administration and removal of neuraxial anesthetics in these individuals. Materials and Methods A steering committee comprised of 14 hematologists, anesthesiologists and methodologists created and refined a set of Delphi statements regarding the use of neuraxial anesthesia in the following pre-existing bleeding disorders and tendencies: von Willebrand disease, immune thrombocytopenia, gestational thrombocytopenia, platelet function disorders, thrombocytopenia associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, coagulation factor deficiencies and fibrinogen disorders. Statements were developed using data obtained from a previously conducted scoping review of existing literature supplemented with the expert opinion of the steering committee in areas where there are minimal published data. Statements include varying hemostatic laboratory parameters in the context of high or low bleeding risk as measured by either a validated bleeding assessment tool (BAT) or pre-defined criteria for excessive bleeding. We plan to recruit approximately 30 international panelists from the fields of hematology and anesthesiology to participate in a modified (i.e. electronic) Delphi technique. Three Delphi rounds will be conducted, during which we will ask panelists to rate their agreement with each Delphi statement on a 5-point Likert scale. Results will be analyzed for statistical consensus, defined as a Cronbach's alpha value of greater than or equal to 0.70. Statements that achieve consensus will be included in the final recommendations. Results Results of the modified Delphi study are pending. Conclusions Administration of neuraxial anesthesia in patients with pre-existing bleeding disorders and tendencies continues to present a significant management challenge for clinicians. We anticipate that the resultant recommendations will become a helpful tool for the future management of neuraxial anesthesia in these patients. Disclosures Martin: Borden Ladner Gervais LLP:Consultancy.Carvalho:Gauss Surgical:Consultancy.Kuter:Dova:Consultancy, Honoraria;Daiichi Sankyo:Consultancy, Honoraria;Actelion (Syntimmune):Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses, Research Funding;Principia Biopharma:Consultancy, Honoraria, Other, Research Funding;Protalix Biotherapeutics:Consultancy;Shionogi:Consultancy;Protalex:Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding;Kezar Life Sciences, Inc:Other, Research Funding;CRICO:Consultancy, Honoraria;Genzyme:Consultancy, Honoraria;Principia:Consultancy, Research Funding;Shire:Consultancy, Honoraria;Shionogi:Consultancy, Honoraria;Sanofi (Genzyme):Consultancy, Honoraria;Incyte:Consultancy, Honoraria;Immunovant:Consultancy, Honoraria;Kyowa-Kirin:Consultancy, Honoraria;Merck Sharp Dohme:Consultancy, Honoraria;Momenta:Consultancy, Honoraria;Novartis:Consultancy, Honoraria;Pfizer:Consultancy, Honoraria;Zafgen:Consultancy, Honoraria;Up-To-Date:Consultancy, Honoraria, Patents & Royalties;UCB:Consultancy, Honoraria;Platelet Disorder Support Association:Consultancy, Honoraria;Argenx:Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses, Research Funding;Bristol-Myers Squibb:Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses, Research Funding;Caremark:Consultancy, Honoraria;Immunovant:Other: Travel Expenses, Research Funding;Alnylam:Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses, Research Funding;Agios:Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses, Research Funding;Amgen:Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses, Research Funding;Takeda (Bioverativ):Consultancy, Honoraria, Other, Research Funding;Rigel:Consultancy, Honoraria, Other, Research Funding;Protalex:Consultancy, Honoraria, Other, Research Funding.Lavin:Tremeau Pharmaceuticals:Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Siemens Healthineers:Other: Speaker's fees;Takeda:Research Funding;Shire:Research Funding.Sholzberg:Takeda:Honoraria, Other: Scientific Advisory Board, Research Funding;Novartis:Honoraria, Other: Scientific Advisory Board;NovoNordisk:Honoraria, Other: Scientific Advisory Board;Octapharma:Honoraria, Other: Scientific Advisory Board, Research Funding;Amgen:Honoraria, Other: Scientific Advisory Board, Research Funding.