Editors: Eugenio Daniel Martinez-Hurtado, Monica Sanjuan-Alvarez, Marta Chacon-Castillo

Series Title: Recent Advances in Anesthesiology

​Obstetric Anesthesia: Clinical Updates

Volume 4

eBook: US $89 Special Offer (PDF + Printed Copy): US $153
Printed Copy: US $108
Library License: US $356
ISBN: 978-981-5051-85-8 (Print)
ISBN: 978-981-5051-84-1 (Online)
Year of Publication: 2022
DOI: 10.2174/97898150518411220401

Introduction

In recent years, we have witnessed significant advances in obstetric anesthesia, providing greater safety for the mother and the fetus, as well as an improvement in pain management procedures during labor.

This volume presents updates in obstetrics and gynecology that are reflective of the changes in the demographics and associated clinical presentations of gynecological pathologies. It compiles state of the art information on the subject in 20 chapters contributed by more than 50 experts in obstetric anesthesia. The main objective of this volume is to inform and update readers about the different aspects essential to the practice of anesthesia and analgesia during pregnancy, labor, cesarean section and puerperium. The contents also include information about the management of pregnant women with different pathologies and high-risk pregnancies.

The authors believe that it is essential for all anesthesiologists to be aware of the latest advances and well-contrasted scientific evidence that will allow them to carry out their usual clinical activity.

The volume approaches the subject in a clear and didactic way for the benefit of all professionals involved in this field, including anesthesiologists, gynecologists, obstetricians, surgeons, clinicians and allied healthcare service providers.

Audience

Anesthesiology, gynecology and obstetrics residents, trainees and surgeons; allied clinical staff.

Preface

Obstetric anesthesia encompasses the anesthetic and analgesic procedures performed during all the stages of labor for vaginal delivery as well as cesarean section. Anesthesiologists have cared for the security of pregnant women since 1847 when James Young Simpson performed the first analgesia for labor. Since then, and even more in the last decades, obstetric anesthesia has become an important aspect of routine anesthetic practice, as women demand to be able to enjoy painless childbirth.

Obstetric anesthesia is a challenge for all of us, because it involves two patients in the same procedure, with different physiologic characteristics, and with different needs. For this reason, our primary target should be to promote a painless and safe delivery, without disturbing uterine contractions or fetoplacental circulation.

Obstetric anesthesia requires a comprehensive approach, not only limiting us to pain relief during labor, but also including the appropriate management of cesarean section and of any potential complications derived of both labor and surgery, while avoiding any fetal compromise.

The Editors of this handbook consider it essential that anesthesiologists understand the importance of obstetric anesthesia in our daily practice. In this handbook, we intend to compile all updated, didactic, and exhaustive information, and we deem every professional should know to face the act of anesthetizing a pregnant patient.

Finally, we would like to thank the co-authors’ collaboration for the achievement of this handbook. As we are all professionals from different institutions, we are able to compare different scenarios and ways to conduct anesthesia, which enriches the text content. Lastly, we would like to acknowledge the readers of this handbook, who are responsible for modern, high-quality and safe anesthesia. These last words are dedicated to the new generation of anesthesiologists; we hope that with this handbook they acquire new knowledge and benefit from our experience.

Eugenio Daniel Martínez Hurtado
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care
University Hospital Infanta Leonor
Madrid, Spain

Monica San Juan Álvarez
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care
University Hospital Severo Ochoa
Madrid, Spain

Marta Chacón Castillo
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care
University Hospital Severo Ochoa
Madrid, Spain