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Clinical problems in obstetric anaesthesia
Inlernalionol Journal of Obsrerric Anesthesia (1998) 7,285 0 1998 Harcourt Brace&Co Ltd
BOOK REVIEW Clinical Problems in Obstetric Anaestbesia Edited by Ian F. Russell & Gordon Lyons. Chapman & Hall Medical, London 1997. ISBN o-412-71600-3
The book also includes several chapters on periparturn anaesthetic issues. There is an interesting review of the febrile parturient in which causes and management are discussed. Other chapters examine emergency general anaesthesia, intubation problems and anaesthesia for the compromised fetus. Regional techniques are also examined in sections on combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia and failure of blocks. It is refreshing to see an individual chapter on consent. In these days of increasing litigation, it is difficult to know exactly what information to give a mother before providing a regional block for labour or caesarean section. The chapter on consent admirably summarizes the published literature, although the diversity of opinion at the current time still leaves us a little in the dark. There are two chapters on postnatal problems. The first on neurological complications is quite excellent and should be read by all those with an interest in obstetric anaesthesia. Perhaps more importantly, it should be shown to obstetricians and midwives, so that, once and for all, they may realise that all postnatal neurological problems are not the result of regional blocks. The chapter on post-dural puncture headache is likewise extremely thorough and interesting. The text is well presented with numerous tables and figures summarizing the main points. There are several useful radiological images, including an MRI scan of the brain demonstrating intracerebral haematoma following accidental dural puncture. Each chapter is thoroughly referenced and the index is clear and helpful. If one wished to point any criticism at the book, it could be argued that the chapters do not follow any logical order, with some on postnatal complications appearing well before that on antenatal assessment. If I wanted to be really pedantic, International Journal of Anesthesia is misspelled throughout the book. But overall, this is an excellent book and will be of value to anyone with an interest in obstetric anaesthesia.
During the past decade in the UK, relatively few texts on obstetric anaesthesia and analgesia have been published. This year, however, sees the launch of several new books and there can be little doubt that Clinical Problems in Obstetric Anaesthesia is one of the best. In the 22 chapters, Russell and Lyons have produced a most useful textbook that would be of benefit to any obstetric anaesthetist and certainly worthy of inclusion in a departmental library. Before going any further, I should perhaps point out that Ian Russell and I are not related, and so my high praise in no way reflects family loyalties. Clinical Problems in Obstetric Anaesthesia will be of interest both to trainees and senior staff, providing information on key examination subjects such as preeclampsia and major haemorrhage as well as excellent reviews of cardiac disease and post-partum neurological disorders. The book is written mainly by UK and European anaesthetists, although the ubiquitous David Birnbach also appears, having co-written the chapter on drug abuse. Clinical Problems in Obstetric Anaesthesia opens with a chapter on maternal mortality outlining the major causes and examining the changing role of the anaesthetist. Deaths directly related to anaesthesia are discussed, as are deaths from other causes such as adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The increasing importance of the latter is recognized by the inclusion of a chapter on ARDS in pregnancy later in the book. To highlight the high risk of obstetric anaesthesia, the next two chapters deal with other major causes of maternal mortality, namely preeclampsia and major haemorrhage. There are a number of chapters dealing with patients with systemic disease. With the increasing number of women with congenital cardiac disease surviving to childbearing age, the review of cardiac disorders and resuscitation is most welcome. So too are the excellent sections on neurological and musculoskeletal problems. The chapter on drug abuse is also helpful, as this subject has received relatively little attention in the UK up to now.
Robin Russell Nufjeld Department of Anaesthetics John Radcriffe Hospital Oxford, UK
285
BOOK REVIEW Clinical Problems in Obstetric Anaestbesia Edited by Ian F. Russell & Gordon Lyons. Chapman & Hall Medical, London 1997. ISBN o-412-71600-3
The book also includes several chapters on periparturn anaesthetic issues. There is an interesting review of the febrile parturient in which causes and management are discussed. Other chapters examine emergency general anaesthesia, intubation problems and anaesthesia for the compromised fetus. Regional techniques are also examined in sections on combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia and failure of blocks. It is refreshing to see an individual chapter on consent. In these days of increasing litigation, it is difficult to know exactly what information to give a mother before providing a regional block for labour or caesarean section. The chapter on consent admirably summarizes the published literature, although the diversity of opinion at the current time still leaves us a little in the dark. There are two chapters on postnatal problems. The first on neurological complications is quite excellent and should be read by all those with an interest in obstetric anaesthesia. Perhaps more importantly, it should be shown to obstetricians and midwives, so that, once and for all, they may realise that all postnatal neurological problems are not the result of regional blocks. The chapter on post-dural puncture headache is likewise extremely thorough and interesting. The text is well presented with numerous tables and figures summarizing the main points. There are several useful radiological images, including an MRI scan of the brain demonstrating intracerebral haematoma following accidental dural puncture. Each chapter is thoroughly referenced and the index is clear and helpful. If one wished to point any criticism at the book, it could be argued that the chapters do not follow any logical order, with some on postnatal complications appearing well before that on antenatal assessment. If I wanted to be really pedantic, International Journal of Anesthesia is misspelled throughout the book. But overall, this is an excellent book and will be of value to anyone with an interest in obstetric anaesthesia.
During the past decade in the UK, relatively few texts on obstetric anaesthesia and analgesia have been published. This year, however, sees the launch of several new books and there can be little doubt that Clinical Problems in Obstetric Anaesthesia is one of the best. In the 22 chapters, Russell and Lyons have produced a most useful textbook that would be of benefit to any obstetric anaesthetist and certainly worthy of inclusion in a departmental library. Before going any further, I should perhaps point out that Ian Russell and I are not related, and so my high praise in no way reflects family loyalties. Clinical Problems in Obstetric Anaesthesia will be of interest both to trainees and senior staff, providing information on key examination subjects such as preeclampsia and major haemorrhage as well as excellent reviews of cardiac disease and post-partum neurological disorders. The book is written mainly by UK and European anaesthetists, although the ubiquitous David Birnbach also appears, having co-written the chapter on drug abuse. Clinical Problems in Obstetric Anaesthesia opens with a chapter on maternal mortality outlining the major causes and examining the changing role of the anaesthetist. Deaths directly related to anaesthesia are discussed, as are deaths from other causes such as adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The increasing importance of the latter is recognized by the inclusion of a chapter on ARDS in pregnancy later in the book. To highlight the high risk of obstetric anaesthesia, the next two chapters deal with other major causes of maternal mortality, namely preeclampsia and major haemorrhage. There are a number of chapters dealing with patients with systemic disease. With the increasing number of women with congenital cardiac disease surviving to childbearing age, the review of cardiac disorders and resuscitation is most welcome. So too are the excellent sections on neurological and musculoskeletal problems. The chapter on drug abuse is also helpful, as this subject has received relatively little attention in the UK up to now.
Robin Russell Nufjeld Department of Anaesthetics John Radcriffe Hospital Oxford, UK
285