Obstetric Anesthesia

Question 1

Topical Anesthesia (Obstetrics)

Answer 1

Local Anesthesia (Lidocaine) : Administration of anesthetic medication directly to a specific area, providing temporary numbing or pain relief. This can be used for minor procedures, such as local infiltration or perineal repairs after delivery.
Lidocaine

Question 2

Regional Anesthesia (Obstetrics)

Answer 2

-Epidural Analgesia: A catheter is placed into the epidural space in the lower back, providing continuous pain relief during labor. Local anesthetic medications are administered through the catheter, numbing the lower half of the body.

-Combined Spinal-Epidural (CSE): A small spinal needle is used to deliver a single dose of medication into the subarachnoid space, providing immediate pain relief. An epidural catheter is also placed for continuous pain relief or additional doses of medication if needed.

-Spinal Anesthesia: A single dose of medication is injected into the subarachnoid space, providing complete anesthesia for cesarean section or other obstetric procedures. It acts quickly and provides effective pain relief.

-Pudendal Nerve Block: Local anesthetic is injected near the pudendal nerve to provide pain relief during the second stage of labor, specifically for vaginal delivery.

• Lidocaine: Used for epidural anesthesia, epidural analgesia, or pudendal nerve block.
  ** Bupivacaine: Frequently used for epidural anesthesia, epidural analgesia, or spinal anesthesia.
  ***Ropivacaine: Another local anesthetic used for epidural anesthesia or spinal anesthesia.

Question 3

General Anesthesia (Obstetrics)

Answer 3

A) Inhalation General Anesthesia: Administration of inhaled anesthetic gases (e.g., sevoflurane, desflurane) along with intravenous medications to induce a state of unconsciousness. General anesthesia is typically used for emergency cesarean sections or when regional anesthesia is contraindicated or not feasible.
-Inhalation Agents:
●Sevoflurane: A volatile inhaled anesthetic commonly used for general anesthesia induction and maintenance.
●Desflurane: Another volatile inhaled anesthetic used for general anesthesia induction and maintenance.

B) Intravenous General Anesthesia: Intravenous medications, such as propofol, are used to induce and maintain anesthesia. This may be combined with inhaled agents and muscle relaxants to provide general anesthesia.
-Intravenous Agents:
●Propofol: A commonly used intravenous anesthetic for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia.
●Thiopental: An intravenous barbiturate used for induction of general anesthesia.
●Etomidate: An intravenous hypnotic agent used for induction of general anesthesia.