Sabrina Soledad Domene, Daniela Fulginiti, Antonia Thompson, Vanessa P Salolin Vargas, Laura C Rodriguez, Meraris D Tolentino Colón, Mariela D Fermin Madera, Juan N Layton, María I Peña Encarnación, Victor S Arruarana, Camila Sanchez Cruz, Ernesto Calderon-Martínez
{"title":"Inhalation anesthesia and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) regimens in patients with obesity: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.","authors":"Sabrina Soledad Domene, Daniela Fulginiti, Antonia Thompson, Vanessa P Salolin Vargas, Laura C Rodriguez, Meraris D Tolentino Colón, Mariela D Fermin Madera, Juan N Layton, María I Peña Encarnación, Victor S Arruarana, Camila Sanchez Cruz, Ernesto Calderon-Martínez","doi":"10.1186/s44158-025-00234-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s44158-025-00234-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Obesity is a global epidemic, projected to affect 4 billion people by 2035. Anesthesia regimens, including volatile anesthetics and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA), impact postoperative outcomes, particularly in obese patients who face increased risks of complications. Volatile anesthetics are often associated with higher rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), while TIVA may improve recovery but can increase costs and present additional challenges. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the effects of these anesthesia methods on perioperative outcomes, including hemodynamic stability, recovery, and PONV, in this high-risk population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024547776) studies were identified through PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, CINDAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model was conducted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirteen studies with 1072 participants were included. Inhalational anesthesia significantly increases PONV (RR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.21-3.60; p = 0.01; I<sup>2</sup> = 34%) and intraoperative heart rate (MD, 3.49; 95% CI, 0.01-6.97; p < 0.01; I<sup>2</sup> = 67.6%) compared to TIVA. Other outcomes, including mean arterial pressure, duration of intensive care unit stay, recovery time, opioid use, and pain, showed no significant differences between TIVA and inhalational anesthesia in the present analysis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TIVA appears to improve perioperative outcomes in obese patients by reducing PONV and intraoperative heart rate, highlighting its potential advantages in clinical practice. Further research is needed to address variability and establish evidence-based guidelines for anesthesia management in this high-risk population.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration number in prospero: </strong>CRD42024547776.</p>","PeriodicalId":73597,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care (Online)","volume":"5 1","pages":"15"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11917146/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143652437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Burhan Dost, Hilal Hanife Kandemir, Kubra Tabur, Sule Nur Karakurt, Beliz Yayla, Canan Asar Sahin, Cengiz Kaya
{"title":"Intrathecal morphine vs. Ultrasound-guided bilateral posterior quadratus lumborum block in caesarean delivery.","authors":"Burhan Dost, Hilal Hanife Kandemir, Kubra Tabur, Sule Nur Karakurt, Beliz Yayla, Canan Asar Sahin, Cengiz Kaya","doi":"10.1186/s44158-025-00235-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s44158-025-00235-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Effective postoperative pain management is crucial in caesarean delivery (CD) to enhance recovery, minimize opioid use, and improve maternal outcomes. Intrathecal morphine (ITM) is widely used but can cause side effects, such as pruritus and nausea. Posterior quadratus lumborum block (QLB) has emerged as a potential alternative for postoperative analgesia. This study compared the analgesic efficacy and side-effect profiles of ITM and posterior QLB in patients with CD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective observational study included parturients who underwent elective CD under spinal anesthesia. Participants were allocated to receive either ITM (100 µg) or bilateral posterior QLB with 0.25% bupivacaine (25 mL per side). The primary outcome was cumulative intravenous morphine consumption 24 h post-surgery. The secondary outcomes included NRS pain scores at rest and during activity at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h, the time to first opioid request, the number of patients requiring rescue analgesia, nausea and vomiting scores, pruritus scores, and scores on the Obstetric Quality of Recovery Scale (ObsQoR-11 T) at 24 h and 48 h postoperatively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sixty patients were included in the analysis, with 30 patients in each group. The primary outcome, 24-h cumulative intravenous morphine consumption, was comparable between the ITM and posterior QLB groups (6 [10] mg vs. 8.2 [7.1] mg, p = 0.134). The secondary outcomes, including NRS pain scores at rest and during activity, time to first opioid request, number of patients requiring rescue analgesia (1 vs. 0; p = 0.313), nausea and vomiting scores, pruritus scores (0 [1] vs. 0 [0]; p = 0.234), and ObsQoR-11 T scores at 24 h (95.5 [14] vs. 87.5 [16]; p = 0.49) and 48 h (102 [13] vs. 97 [18]; p = 0.203), were not significantly different between the groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Both ITM and posterior QLB provide effective postoperative analgesia in patients with CD, with comparable analgesic outcomes and side-effect profiles. ITM remains a practical choice because of its ease of administration, whereas subsequent QLB serves as a viable alternative for patients intolerant to neuraxial opioids.</p>","PeriodicalId":73597,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care (Online)","volume":"5 1","pages":"14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11887214/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143574968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elena Giovanna Bignami, Michele Russo, Federico Semeraro, Valentina Bellini
{"title":"Technoethics in real life: AI as a core clinical competency.","authors":"Elena Giovanna Bignami, Michele Russo, Federico Semeraro, Valentina Bellini","doi":"10.1186/s44158-025-00233-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s44158-025-00233-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73597,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care (Online)","volume":"5 1","pages":"13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11871806/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143538118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annachiara Marra, Andrea Uriel de Siena, Carmine Iacovazzo, Maria Vargas, Nicola Cesarano, Claudia Collà Ruvolo, Giuseppe Celentano, Pasquale Buonanno
{"title":"Impact of YouTube® videos on knowledge on tracheal intubation for anesthesiologist trainees: a prospective observational study.","authors":"Annachiara Marra, Andrea Uriel de Siena, Carmine Iacovazzo, Maria Vargas, Nicola Cesarano, Claudia Collà Ruvolo, Giuseppe Celentano, Pasquale Buonanno","doi":"10.1186/s44158-025-00232-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s44158-025-00232-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Social media platforms, initially developed for recreational use, have evolved into major sources for disseminating information, including medical information for patients and healthcare providers in many disciplines. This study aimed to evaluate the educational potential of YouTube® videos in teaching tracheal intubation to first-year anesthesiology residents.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of \"University Federico II-AORN A. Cardarelli\" (protocol no. 00010735). We analyzed the first 10 YouTube videos identified via the search term \"tracheal intubation.\" Each video was evaluated for misinformation and informational completeness via a 5-item Likert scale. After providing written consent, fifty-seven first-year anesthesiology residents watched these videos and completed a 22-item questionnaire before and after viewing. Each correct answer received one point, whereas incorrect answers received 0 points, allowing for comparisons of knowledge acquisition.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The videos exhibited moderate quality (median score, 3; range, 1-5) and low informational completeness (median score, 1.432; range, 1.000-2.046). Residents' scores increased modestly by one point after viewing (from 13 to 14; p < 0.001). Misinformation was positively correlated with the number of followers (beta coefficient: 0.00002, p < 0.001), video duration (beta coefficient: 0.0042, p < 0.05), and linking ratio (beta coefficient: 0.242, p < 0.05). Conversely, informational completeness was inversely correlated with video duration (beta coefficient: - 0.001121, p < 0.05) and the thumbs-up/view ratio (beta coefficient: - 67.4697, p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While YouTube® has potential as an accessible educational tool, current video selection offers limited improvement in residents' understanding of tracheal intubation. Our findings highlight the need for greater curation and better-quality control of medical educational content on YouTube® to optimize its effectiveness and provide accurate information. Institutions could play a key role in producing reliable, guideline-based videos that better support learning objectives in anesthesiology training.</p>","PeriodicalId":73597,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care (Online)","volume":"5 1","pages":"12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11854003/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143505992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Massimiliano Greco, Ersilia Luca, Fernando Chiumiento, Astrid U Behr, Gabriella Bettelli, Elena Bignami, Massimo Antonelli, Maurizio Cecconi, Paola Aceto
{"title":"Perioperative assessment and management of frailty in elderly patients: a national survey of Italian anesthesiologists.","authors":"Massimiliano Greco, Ersilia Luca, Fernando Chiumiento, Astrid U Behr, Gabriella Bettelli, Elena Bignami, Massimo Antonelli, Maurizio Cecconi, Paola Aceto","doi":"10.1186/s44158-025-00231-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s44158-025-00231-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The prevalence of frailty is increasing as the global population continues to age. Frailty is associated with poor perioperative outcomes including increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to examine current practices and perspectives of anesthesiogists in Italy on the provision of care for elderly surgical patients with frailty.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a national survey. Data were collected via an online questionnaire distributed by the Italian Society of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI). Responses were collected over 24 weeks between October 2022 and March 2023.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven-hundred thirteen anesthetists completed the survey. A total of 39.8% (277) of respondents were working in university hospitals. Frailty scoring was routinely performed in 51.8% of care settings. Only 26.3% of organizations surveyed had a dedicated pathway for perioperative management of frail elderly patients. The most common method for frailty assessment was the subjective assessment by the anesthesiologist (58.3%). More than half of the participants reported the use of ERAS items in most cases. Almost half of respondents reported the use of postoperative screening tools for delirium (45% of respondents).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>While these results point to the resistance to clinical implementation of frailty assessment, they also highlight the perceived need for careful management. This can help in identifying elderly patients who may require targeted perioperative management and in ensuring the preservation of cognitive and functional status.</p>","PeriodicalId":73597,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care (Online)","volume":"5 1","pages":"11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11846183/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143477294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Giada Mascio, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Giuseppe Battaglia, Serena Notartomaso
{"title":"A type-5 metabotropic glutamate receptor-perineuronal net axis shapes the function of cortical GABAergic interneurons in chronic pain.","authors":"Giada Mascio, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Giuseppe Battaglia, Serena Notartomaso","doi":"10.1186/s44158-025-00228-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s44158-025-00228-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parvalbumin-positive (PV<sup>+</sup>) interneurons (basket and chandelier cells) regulate the firing rate of pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex and play a key role in the generation of network oscillations in the cerebral cortex. A growing body of evidence suggest that cortical PV<sup>+</sup> interneurons become overactive in chronic pain and contribute to nociceptive sensitization by inhibiting a top-down analgesic pathway. Here, we provide further support to this hypothesis showing that intracortical infusion of the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor antagonist, bicuculline, caused analgesia in a mouse model of chronic inflammatory pain, although it reduced pain thresholds in healthy mice. We propose that mGlu5 metabotropic glutamate receptors and perineuronal nets (PNNs) shape the activity of PV<sup>+</sup> interneurons in chronic pain, generating a form of maladaptive plasticity that enhances behavioural pain responses. mGlu5 receptors might be locally targeted by drugs activated by light delivered in cortical regions of the pain matrix, whereas the density of PNNs enwrapping PV<sup>+</sup> interneurons might be reduced by local activation of PNN-degrading enzyme, such as type-9 matrix metalloproteinase. These strategies, which may require invasive treatments, might be beneficial in the management of severe pain which is refractory to conventional pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":73597,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care (Online)","volume":"5 1","pages":"10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11846390/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143477293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carlo Bergamini, Etrusca Brogi, Sara Salvigni, Michele Romoli, Giovanni Bini, Alessandra Venditto, Elvis Lafe, Marcello D'Andrea, Luigino Tosatto, Maria Ruggiero, Vanni Agnoletti, Emanuele Russo
{"title":"Correction: One-year outcome and quality of life of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted to intensive care unit: a single-center retrospective pilot study.","authors":"Carlo Bergamini, Etrusca Brogi, Sara Salvigni, Michele Romoli, Giovanni Bini, Alessandra Venditto, Elvis Lafe, Marcello D'Andrea, Luigino Tosatto, Maria Ruggiero, Vanni Agnoletti, Emanuele Russo","doi":"10.1186/s44158-025-00230-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s44158-025-00230-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73597,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care (Online)","volume":"5 1","pages":"9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11841243/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143470091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christina von Knorring, Megan Gjordeni, Tina Thomsson, Ann-Charlotte Lindström, Jakob Pansell
{"title":"Intracranial pressure estimated non-invasively and postoperative outcomes in surgery in the Trendelenburg position with pneumoperitoneum.","authors":"Christina von Knorring, Megan Gjordeni, Tina Thomsson, Ann-Charlotte Lindström, Jakob Pansell","doi":"10.1186/s44158-025-00229-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s44158-025-00229-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Surgery in the Trendelenburg position (TP) with pneumoperitoneum (PP) is beneficial in several aspects but is associated with postoperative complications, such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). The mechanism behind this is unknown, but an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) has been suggested. There are several studies of non-invasively estimated ICP during surgery in TP with PP. The association between perioperative estimated ICP and postoperative complications has not yet been reviewed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We performed a scoping review of peer-reviewed clinical studies reporting on both perioperative estimation of ICP and postoperative complications in patients undergoing surgery in TP with PP. The literature search was performed in February 2025 on PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science.</p><p><strong>Results and conclusions: </strong>Ten of 12 included studies suggested associations between perioperative elevation of estimated ICP and postoperative complications, most notably PONV. This may have clinical implications since elevated ICP can be treated. Future research should focus on the association between perioperative ICP estimation and postoperative complications and the effects of ICP-lowering strategies on postoperative outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":73597,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care (Online)","volume":"5 1","pages":"8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11834181/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143442821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Intraoperative hemodynamic management in abdominal aortic surgery guided by the Hypotension Prediction Index: the Hemas multicentric observational study.","authors":"Enrico Giustiniano, Fulvio Nisi, Federica Ferrod, Giulia Lionetti, Cristina Viscido, Antonio Reda, Federico Piccioni, Gabriella Buono, Maurizio Cecconi","doi":"10.1186/s44158-024-00222-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s44158-024-00222-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) during non-cardiac surgery is closely associated with postoperative complications. Hypotensive events are more likely during major open vascular surgery. We prospectively investigated whether our institutional algorithm of cardiocirculatory management, which included the Hypotension Prediction Index (HPI), a predictive model of hypotension of the Hemosphere™ platform (Edwards Lifescience, Irwin, CA, USA), was able to reduce the incidence and severity of intraoperative hypotension during open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A multi-center observational study was conducted at IRCCS-Humanitas Research Hospital (Milan) and AO Mauriziano Umberto I Hospital (Turin) between July 2022 and September 2023, enrolling patients undergoing elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. A hemodynamic protocol based on the Acumen-HPI Hemosphere™ platform was employed, integrating advanced parameters (e.g., HPI, Ea-dyn, dP/dt) and tailored interventions to minimize intraoperative hypotension. The primary endpoint was cumulative intraoperative hypotension time < 10% of surgical time, with secondary endpoints including incidence of hypotensive events, time-weighted averages of MAP < 65 mmHg (TWA65) and < 50 mmHg (TWA50), and postoperative complications.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We enrolled 53 patients submitted to open abdominal aortic repair. The primary endpoint (time in hypotension < 10%) was successfully reached: 5 [1-10] %. The targeted time-weighted average (< 0.40 mmHg) both for MAP < 65 mmHg (TWA65) and MAP < 50 mmHg (severe hypotension; TWA50) were reached: TWA65 = 0.26 [0.04-0.65] mmHg and TWA50 = 0.00 [0.00-0.01].</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our hemodynamic management algorithm based on the HPI and other parameters of the Hemosphere™ platform was able to limit the incidence and severity of intraoperative hypotension during open abdominal aortic repair.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>NCT05478564.</p>","PeriodicalId":73597,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care (Online)","volume":"5 1","pages":"7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11823129/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143416438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Antonio Coviello, Carmine Iacovazzo, Maria Grazia Frigo, Marilena Ianniello, Dario Cirillo, Giuseppe Tierno, Andrea Uriel de Siena, Pasquale Buonanno, Giuseppe Servillo
{"title":"Technical aspects of neuraxial analgesia during labor and maternity care: an updated overview.","authors":"Antonio Coviello, Carmine Iacovazzo, Maria Grazia Frigo, Marilena Ianniello, Dario Cirillo, Giuseppe Tierno, Andrea Uriel de Siena, Pasquale Buonanno, Giuseppe Servillo","doi":"10.1186/s44158-025-00224-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s44158-025-00224-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Labor analgesia is increasingly widespread throughout the world with a rate ranging from 10 to 60%. The benefits regarding clinical and non-clinical maternal-fetal outcomes are currently discussed in international scientific literature. Even stage of labor needs a different and appropriate approach to control the pain; however, different techniques are reported in literature. The following study intends to give a brief overview of the characteristics of the different neuraxial and non-neuraxial techniques currently available and the non-technical skills necessary for effective assistance to pregnant women, providing insights on the topic to understand critical issues at the same time. After bibliographic research since 2018 to 2023, many randomized controlled trials, literature reviews, systematic reviews, and metanalysis were evaluated to create this brief overview. The following pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches were assessed: spinal techniques, such as epidural analgesia (EA), combined spinal-epidural (CSE), dural puncture epidural (DPE), and continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA); pharmacological administration of nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O) and systemic opioids (morphine, fentanyl, and pethidine); as the third one transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), acupressure/acupuncture, aromatherapy, and breathing exercises. All the assessed approaches are relatively safe and effective, but the association of technical and non-technical skills is needed to improve the maternal and fetus outcome. More studies are needed to clarify what is the best approach to labor analgesia.</p>","PeriodicalId":73597,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care (Online)","volume":"5 1","pages":"6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11780834/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143069975","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}