Pneumocephalus Following Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia: A Case Report Analysis

Background: Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) is widely used in clinical anesthesia due to its rapid onset, reliable anesthetic effect, and strong controllability. Although advancements in technique have reduced the frequency and severity of common complications, reports of rare and serious complications such as pneumocephalus, remain scarce. Case Report: This article presents a case of pneumocephalus following CSEA in a middle-aged female patient undergoing surgery for an intrauterine space-occupying lesion. The patient experienced severe headache postoperatively, and imaging confirmed the presence of intracranial air. After receiving active symptomatic treatment, the patient recovered and was discharged. Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of adhering to standard anesthesia protocols and increasing awareness of rare CSEA complications, particularly the risk of pneumocephalus. Early recognition and timely management are crucial. There is a need to further enhance training and research in anesthetic procedures to improve clinical anesthesia quality and ensure patient safety.

Analgesic Effect of Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia and its Effect on TNF-α and CRP Levels in Elderly Patients with Hip Fracture During Surgical Treatment

Objective:To observe the analgesic effect of combined spinal and epidural anesthesia on older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.Method:One hundred and twenty elderly hip fracture surgery patients treated in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected and randomly divided into two groups,with 60 cases in the experimental group and 60 in the control group.The experimental group was given combined spinal-epidural anesthesia intervention measures,while the control group was given epidural anesthesia intervention measures.The analgesic effect,tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),C-reactive protein(CRP)levels,and other observation indicators were analyzed after anesthesia intervention.Result:After the intervention,the analgesic effect and the evaluation results of the subjects in the experimental group were better than those in the control group(P<0.05);the obtained values of TNF-αand CRP levels in the experimental group were higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combined spinal-epidural anesthesia intervention demonstrated positive outcomes.The analgesic effect of patients during surgery and their inflammatory factor levels improved,which makes this intervention worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Regional anesthesia in a patient with primary ciliary dyskinesia:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary ciliary dyskinesia(PCD)is an inherited autosomal-recessive disorder of impaired mucociliary clearance characterized by chronic respiratory diseases,otolaryngological diseases,central nervous system abnormalities,reproductive system abnormalities,and cardiac function abnormalities.General anesthesia in these patients is associated with a higher incidence of respiratory complications than in patients without the disease.CASE SUMMARY A 16-year-old male patient was referred to the emergency room complaining of right ankle pain due to distal tibiofibular fracture.Three years prior,he had been diagnosed with PCD.At that time,he had experienced several episodes of pneumonia,sinusitis,and chronic middle ear infections,for which he underwent surgical interventions.At the current admission,he presented with cough and sputum but no other respiratory symptoms.A chest computed tomography scan revealed centrilobular ground-glass opacities in both lower lobes and a calcified nodule in the left lower lobe.For the surgical procedure and postoperative pain management,combined spinal-epidural anesthesia was employed.The patient’s postoperative pain score was measured by the numerical rating scale(NRS).On the day of surgery,his NRS was 5 points.By the second postoperative day,the NRS score had decreased to 2–3 points.The epidural catheter was removed on the fourth day following the operation.The patient was subsequently discharged no respiratory complications.CONCLUSION We performed combined spinal-epidural anesthesia in a patient with PCD.The patient experienced no additional respiratory complications and was discharged with a low NRS score for pain.

Postoperative Analgesia and Cesarean Section under General Anesthesia: Multicenter Study

Background: Neuraxial anesthesia with intrathecal morphine is the reference technique in cesarean section anesthesia for the management of postoperative analgesia. If there is a contraindication to this, general anesthesia is required. The objective of the study was to evaluate the analgesic effectiveness of 4 analgesic techniques performed during cesarean section under general anesthesia in two centers with different anesthetic practices (North Franche Comté Hospital and Omar Bongo Ondimba Army Training Hospital). Method: This is a retrospective and descriptive study over 2 years, from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020. It involved evaluating the analgesic effectiveness and tolerance of morphine in the epidural catheter, wound infiltration, intravenous analgesia and Transversus Abdominous Plane block (TAP block) from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) until the 4th post-operative day. Results: Of the 354 cesarean sections performed, 84 (11.14%) received general anesthesia. The average age was 32.27 years. Acute fetal distress was the first indication for cesarean section (45.2%), followed by hemorrhagic placenta previa (10.7%) and prolapse of the cord (8.33%). Morphine in the epidural catheter was the most used (47.6%) followed by parietal infiltration (36.9%), intravenous analgesia (13.1%) and TAP block (2.38%). The analgesic effectiveness was comparable between the techniques from postoperative day 0 to day 4. No difference in side effects. Postoperative morphine consumption was significantly reduced (p = 0.011) in the infiltration (9 mg) and TAP block (9mg) groups compared to the epidural catheter (16 mg) and intravenous analgesia (17 mg). No difference in 02 rehabilitation criteria (ambulation, first bowel movement). No difference in the occurrence of chronic pain. Conclusion: In the event of a cesarean section under general anesthesia, there are effective and well-tolerated alternatives to neuraxial anesthesia, particularly regional anesthesia techniques (nerve blocks), particularly in countries with low availability of morphine.

Comparative Study between General Anesthesia versus General Anesthesia Combined with Thoracic Epidural Analgesia on Cytokine Response in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Patients

Background and Objectives: The main benefits of laparoscopic surgery in comparison to open surgery involve the rapid discharge from recovery room, decreased postoperative hospital stays, reduced postoperative discomfort, easier getting back to work and faster return to ordinary daily life as well as cosmetic surgical wounds. The anesthesia type has an essential role in attenuation of the surgical stress and achievement of these advantages. We aimed to determine the outcome of giving general anesthesia in conjunction with thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) compared to general anesthesia alone on stress response to surgery and anesthesia by investigating cytokine reaction (interleukin 6 and 8 levels), hemodynamic changes (BP, HR, RR, SPO2), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores postoperatively in patients subjected for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: This study included 40 patients aged 20 - 60 years old with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA) I and II. They were planned for laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Aswan University Hospital from April 2017 to March 2018. They were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A (n. 20) received general anesthesia only and Group B (n. 20) received general anesthesia in conjunction with thoracic epidural analgesia using fentanyl and bupivacaine in the epidural catheter. Chi-square was applied to differentiate categorical variables, whereas comparison between continuous variables was done by using t-test. Two-tailed p < 0.05 was estimated as statistically significant. Results: As regards IL-6 and IL-8 post-operative there is significant difference (p < 0.05) between two groups during 2nd and 4th hr and 24th hr postoperative, with significantly increased postoperative levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in comparison to their preoperative baseline values. The largest increase in IL6 & IL8 levels was in group A (GA group). VAS score showed significant lower values in TEA group in comparison to GA group. No significant difference between groups as regard intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamic changes. Conclusion: Regional techniques including TEA attenuate and decrease cytokine reaction secondary to surgery which decreases inflammatory process and improves patient outcome and reduces pain score postoperatively.

SUMMARY OF CLINICAL STUDY ON ACUPUNCTURE COMBINED WITH EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA FOR CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Objective: TO study clinical effect and anesthetic method of acupuncture anesthesia combined with epidural administration of small dose of anesthetic for cholecystectomy. Methods: A total of 194 cases of cholecystectomy patients were randomly divided into acupuncture combined with epidural anesthesia group (group A, n = 66), acupoint-skin electrical stimulation combined with epidural anesthesia group (group B, n = 63) and simple epidural anesthesia group (group C, n=65). Observations were conducted using single-bland method. Bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) were punctured and stimulated electrically in group A and only stimulated electrically via cutaneous electrodes in group B. Epidural anesthetic used was 1.5% Lidocaine and the anesthetic level was controlled to reach T4-11 . Results: The class-I (excellent) rates of group A, B and C were 75.76%, 60.32% and 13.85% respectively, showing significant differences between group A and C and group B and C (P <0.001). The initial dose, doses of every hour and every case of group A and B were lower than those of group C. The dose of every hour of group C was 36.23% and 3. 75% higher then group A and B respectively (P < 0. 001), suggesting that acupuncture or acupoint-skin electrical stimulation could strengthen anesthetic effect and reduce the dose of epidural anesthetic. During operation, indexes of the life signs as HR, MAP, RR, TV, MV, SpO2 and ECG kept basically stable and all patients in group A passed surgical operation safely. Conclusion: Acupuncture or acupoint-skin electrical stimulation combined with epidural anesthesia can be used as one of the anesthetic methods for cholecystectomy.

EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE COMBINED WITH EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA ON PLASMA CATECHOLAMINE CONTENT IN CHOLECYSTECTOMY PATIENTS

Objective: To observe changes of plasma catecholamine (CA) level in patients experiencing cholecystectomy under acupuncture anesthesia combined with epidural administration of small dose of anesthetics. Methods: 33 cholecystectomy patients were randomly divided into acupuncture combined with epidural anesthesia (A) group (n=11), acupoint skin electrical stimulation combined with epidural anesthesia (B) group (n=11) and simple epidural anesthesia (C) group (n=11). Acupoints used were bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiguan (PC 6) and stimulated with parameters of frequency 2/15 Hz, intermittent waves, electric current 2～3 mA for group A and 13mA for group B. Extradural anesthetic administered was 1.5% Lidocaine 5 mL. Venous blood samples were collected one day before, during and 3 days after operation for detecting plasma NE, E and DA contents. Results: ① During operation, plasma NE of group A and B lowered in comparison with pre operation, particularly group A (P<0.01), while in group C, plasma NE level increased slightly; plasma E of group A and B increased significantly compared with pre operation (P< 0.01). Plasma DA in the 3 groups all raised during operation. ② Three days after operation, plasma NE, E and DA levels recovered basically in comparison with those of one day before operation. It indicates that acupuncture or acupoint skin electrical stimulation is capable of regulating sympathetic activity during epidural anesthesia. The anesthetic effect has a closer relation with changes of plasma NE level rather than changes of plasma E or DA levels. Conclusion: Acupuncture or acupoint surface electrical stimulation combined with epidural anesthesia may be of reducing or releasing surgical operation generated stress response during cholecystectomy.

Effect of general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia on the postoperative immune function, stress state and coagulation function in patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Objective:To study the effect of general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia on the postoperative immune function, stress state and coagulation function in patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Methods: 98 patients undergoing selective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our hospital between May 2014 and August 2016 were selected and randomly divided into the combined anesthesia group who accepted the general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia and the general anesthesia group who accepted the total intravenous anesthesia (n=49), peripheral blood was collected after operation to detect the number of CD3+CD4+CD8-T cells, CD3+CD4-CD8+T cells, CD16+CD56+NK cells and CD3-CD19+B cells, serum was collected to detect the levels of stress-related endocrine hormones norepinephrine (NE), cortisol (Cor), insulin (Ins), C-peptide (C-P), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) as well as coagulation function indexes rostaglandin I2 (PGI2), thromboxane A2 (TXA2), 6-ketone-prostaglandin F1α (6-K-PGI1α) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2).Results:The number of CD3+CD4+CD8-T cells, CD3+CD4-CD8+T cells, CD16+CD56+NK cells and CD3-CD19+B cells in peripheral blood of combined anesthesia group were significantly higher than those of intravenous anesthesia group (P<0.05);serum NE, Cor, Ins, C-P, FT3, FT4, TXA2 and TXB2 levels of combined anesthesia group were significantly lower than those of intravenous anesthesia group (P<0.05) while PGI2 and 6-K-PGI1αlevels were significantly higher than those of intravenous anesthesia group (P<0.05).Conclusions:General anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia can improve the postoperative immune function, stress state and hypercoagulable state in patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Dynamics of vascular volume and hemodilution of lactated Ringer’s solution in patients during induction of general and epidural anesthesia

Objective： To investigate the dynamics of vascular volume and the plasma dilution of lactated Ringer＇s solution in patients during the induction of general and epidural anesthesia. Methods： The hemodilution of i.v. infusion of 1000 ml of lactated Ringer＇s solution over 60 min was studied in patients undergoing general （n=31） and epidural （n= 22） anesthesia. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure and hemoglobin （Hb） concentration were measured every 5 rain during the study. Surgery was not started until the study period had been completed. Results： General anesthesia caused the greater decrease of mean arterial blood pressure （MAP） （mean 15% versus 9%; P〈0.01） and thereby followed by a more pronounced plasma dilution, blood volume expansion （VE） and blood volume expansion efficiency （VEE）. A strong linear correlation between hemodilution and the reduction in MAP （r=-0.50;P〈0.01） was found. At the end of infusion, patients undergoing general anesthesia retained 47% （SD 19%） of the infused fluid in the circulation, while epidural anesthesia retained 29% （SD 13%） （P〈0.001）. Correspondingly, a fewer urine output （mean 89 ml versus 156 ml; P〈0.05） and extravascular expansion （454 ml versus 551 ml; P〈0.05） were found during general anesthesia. Conclusion： We concluded that the induction of general anesthesia caused more hemodilution, volume expansion and volume expansion efficiency than epidural anesthesia, which was triggered only by the lower MAP.

Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized evidence comparing general anesthesia vs regional anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND In an effort to further reduce the morbidity and mortality profile of laparoscopic cholecystectomy,the outcomes of such procedure under regional anesthesia(RA)have been evaluated.In the context of cholecystectomy,combining a minimally invasive surgical procedure with a minimally invasive anesthetic technique can potentially be associated with less postoperative pain and earlier ambulation.AIM To evaluate comparative outcomes of RA and general anesthesia(GA)in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.METHODS A comprehensive systematic review of randomized controlled trials with subsequent meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of outcomes were conducted in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement standards.RESULTS Thirteen randomized controlled trials enrolling 1111 patients were included.The study populations in the RA and GA groups were of comparable age(P=0.41),gender(P=0.98)and body mass index(P=0.24).The conversion rate from RA to GA was 2.3%.RA was associated with significantly less postoperative pain at 4 h[mean difference(MD):-2.22,P<0.00001],8 h(MD:-1.53,P=0.0006),12 h(MD:-2.08,P<0.00001),and 24 h(MD:-0.90,P<0.00001)compared to GA.Moreover,it was associated with significantly lower rate of nausea and vomiting[risk ratio(RR):0.40,P<0.0001].However,RA significantly increased postoperative headaches(RR:4.69,P=0.03),and urinary retention(RR:2.73,P=0.03).The trial sequential analysis demonstrated that the meta-analysis was conclusive for most outcomes,with the exception of a risk of type 1 error for headache and urinary retention and a risk of type 2 error for total procedure time.CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that RA may be an attractive anesthetic modality for daycase laparoscopic cholecystectomy considering its associated lower postoperative pain and nausea and vomiting compared to GA.However,its associated risk of urinary retention and headache and lack of knowledge on its impact on procedure-related outcomes do not justify using RA as the first line anesthetic choice for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Role of epidural anesthesia in a fast track liver resection protocol for cirrhotic patients-results after three years of practice

AIM To evaluate the potential benefits and risks of the use of epidural anaesthesia within an enhanced recovery protocol in this specific subpopulation.METHODS A retrospective review was conducted, including all cirrhotic patients who underwent open liver resection between January 2013 and December 2015 at Bologna University Hospital. Patients with an abnormal coagulation profile contraindicating the placement of an epidural catheter were excluded from the analysis. The control group was composed by patients refusing epidural anaesthesia. RESULTS Of the 183 cirrhotic patients undergoing open liver resections, 57 had contraindications to the placement of an epidural catheter; of the remaining 126, 86 patients received general anaesthesia and 40 combined anaesthesia. The two groups presented homogeneous characteristics. Intraoperatively the metabolic data did not differ between the two groups, whilst the epidural group had a lower mean arterial pressure(P = 0.041) and received more colloid infusions(P = 0.007). Postoperative liver and kidney function did not differ significantly.Length of mechanical ventilation(P = 0.003) and hospital stay(P = 0.032) were significantly lower in the epidural group. No complications related to the epidural catheter placement or removal was recorded.CONCLUSION The use of Epidural Anaesthesia within a fast track protocol for cirrhotic patients undergoing liver resections had a positive impact on the patient's outcomes and comfort as demonstrated by a significantly lower length of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay in the epidural group. The technique appears to be safely manageable in this fragile population even though these results need confirmation in larger studies.

Epidural anesthesia is effective for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of pancreatic and biliary calculi

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of thoracic epidural analgesia for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). METHODS: ESWL is an effective, non-invasive technique for the treatment of difficult pancreatic and large bile duct calculi. The procedure is often painful and requires large doses of analgesics. Many different anesthetic techniques have been used. Patients with either large bile duct calculi or pancreatic duct calculi which could not be extracted by routine endoscopic methods were selected. Thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) was routinely used in all the subjects unless contraindicated. Bupivacaine 0.25% with or without clonidine was used to block the segments D6 to D12. The dose was calculated depending on the age, height and weight of the patient. It was usually 1-2 mL per segment blocked.RESULTS: Ninety eight percent of the 1509 patients underwent ESWL under TEA. The subjects selected were within American Society of Anesthesiologists grade Ⅰ to Ⅲ. ESWL using EA permitted successful elimination of bile duct or pancreatic calculi with minimal morbidity. The procedure time was shorter in patients with TEA than in those who underwent ESWL under total intravenous anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Almost all patients undergoing ESWL with EA had effective blocks with a single catheter insertion and local anesthetic injection.

Thoracic epidural anesthesia:Effects on splanchnic circulation and implications in Anesthesia and Intensive care

AIM: To evaluate the currently available evidence on thoracic epidural anesthesia effects on splanchnic macro and microcirculation, in physiologic and pathologic conditions.METHODS:A Pub Med search was conducted using the Me SH database.Anesthesia,Epidural was always the first MeS H heading and was combined by boolean operator AND with the following headings:Circulation,Splanchnic;Intestines;Pancreas and Pancreatitis;LiverFunction Tests.EMBASE,Cochrane library,ClinicalT rials.gov and clinicaltrialsregister.eu were also searched using the same terms.RESULTS:Twenty-seven relevant studies and four ongoing trials were found.The data regarding the effects of epidural anesthesia on splanchnic perfusion are conflicting.The studies focusing on regional macro-hemodynamics in healthy animals and humans undergoing elective surgery,demonstrated no influence or worsening of regional perfusion in patients receiving thoracic epidural anesthesia(TEA).On the other hand most of the studies focusing on micro-hemodynamics,especially in pathologic low flow conditions,suggested that TEA could foster microcirculation.CONCLUSION:The available studies in this field are heterogeneous and the results conflicting,thus it is difficult to draw decisive conclusions.However there is increasing evidence deriving from animal studies,that thoracic epidural blockade could have an important role in modifying tissue microperfusion and protecting microcirculatory weak units from ischemic damage,regardless of the effects on macro-hemodynamics.

Dural puncture epidural technique provides better anesthesia quality in repeat cesarean delivery than epidural technique:Randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND Repeat cesarean deliverys involve a longer surgery and more severe visceral traction than primary cesarean deliverys.The dural puncture epidural(DPE)technique provides faster and more effective analgesia for labor,but there is no sufficient evidence to indicate whether it is suitable for parturients undergoing repeat cesarean delivery.AIM To determine the efficacy and safety of the DPE anesthesia technique in patients undergoing repeat cesarean delivery.METHODS Patients undergoing repeat cesarean delivery were randomly divided into the DPE and epidural anesthesia(EA)groups.A 25-G spinal needle was used for dural puncture via a 19-G epidural needle.The patients in the two groups were injected with 5 mL of 2%lidocaine followed by 15 mL of a mixture of 1%lidocaine+0.5%ropivacaine as the epidural dosage.The primary outcome was the onset time of sensory block to the T6 dermatome level and the sensory and motor block degree.RESULTS A total of 115 women were included(EA:57,DPE:58).The mean time to sensory block to the T6 Level was significantly shorter in the DPE group than in the EA group(14.7 min vs 16.6 min;95%confidence interval,13.9 to 15.4 vs 15.8 to 17.4;P=0.001).The cranial sensory block level was significantly higher at 5,10,and 15 min after the initial dose in the DPE group than in the EA group(P<0.05).The sacral sensory block level was significantly higher and the modified bromage score was significantly lower in the DPE group at each time point(P<0.05).Adverse effects and neonatal outcomes were comparable between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The DPE technique provided higher-quality anesthesia than the EA technique,with a rapid onset of surgical anesthesia,better cranial and sacral sensory block spread and a higher motor block degree,without increasing the incidence of maternal or fetal side effects in patients undergoing repeat cesarean delivery.

Nonintubated video-assisted thoracic surgery under epidural anesthesia—Encouraging early results encourage randomized trials

Nonintubated video-assisted thoracic surgery （VATS） that is also defined awake VATS entails thoracoscopic procedures performed by regional anesthesia in spontaneously ventilating,mildly sedated or fully awake patients.

Awake thoracoscopic surgery under epidural anesthesia: is it really safe?

Thoracoscopic surgeries usually require single-lung ventilation under general anesthesia because of the need to obtain a sufficient working space.In patients with impaired pulmonary function,if the patient can undergo general anesthesia,a more selected collapse of the lung is considered to be beneficial for intraoperative oxygenation.The selective bronchial blockade of the lobe to be resected has been reported by several investigators （1-3）.Mukaida and coworkers first reported thoracoscopic surgery for pnenmothorax under local and epidural anesthesia in 1998 in high-risk patients contraindicated for general anesthesia （4）.

Effect of epidural block combined intravenous general anesthesia stress on the stress response and T lymphocyte subsets in patients with breast cancer undergoing radical mastectomy

Objective: To investigate the effect of epidural block combined with intravenous anesthesia on stress response and T lymphocyte subsets in patients with breast cancer undergoing radical mastectomy. Methods: In our hospital from July 2016 to June 2017 undergoing radical mastectomy for breast cancer of 88 patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group of 44 cases, 2 patients underwent routine preoperative preparation, and routine blood pressure, heart rate, pulse, oxygen saturation, ECG monitoring, control group with intravenous anesthesia. The observation group was treated with epidural block combined with intravenous anesthesia. 2 groups of patients before anesthesia, 30 MIM (T0), 1 h after skin incision (T1), 4 h after operation (T2), 24 h after operation (T3), 48 h after operation (T4) from peripheral venous blood were measured by interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ), cortisol (Cor), prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH) and T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+), the calculation of CD4+/CD8+ value. Results: the serum IL-8 level of T1, T2, T3and T4 decreased gradually, were lower than at T0, and the control group at each time point had no significant difference, T1, T2, T3group, T4IL-8 levels lower than the control group;the 2 groups of serum IFN-γ levels T1 and T2had no significant change, T3and T4increased gradually, was higher than that of T0, but no significant difference between the 2 groups of IFN-γ levels. 2 serum Cor levels peaked at T1, decreased at T2, was higher than that of T0, T3, T4returned to T0, the observation group T1, T2Cor level lower than the control group;the serum PRL levels of 2 groups reached a peak at T1, T2, T3at the time of T4decreased gradually, was higher than that of T0, T1, T2, T3of the observation group at the PRL level is lower than the control group;the serum level of GH 2 in group T1increased gradually, reached a peak at T2, T3and T4 decreased gradually, was higher than that of T0, the observation group T1, T2, T3, T4, GH levels lower than the control group. 2 groups of CD3+ decreased gradually in T1, T2, were lower than T0, T3, T4returned to T0, the observation group T1, T2CD3+ was higher than the control group;group CD4+ decreased gradually in T1, T2, T3and T4were lower than control, T0when, and the observation group CD4+ in T1, T2, T3, T4, no significant changes were observed in group T1, T2, T3, T4and CD4+ higher than that of the control group;the 2 group CD8+ had no obvious changes in T1, T2, T3, T4;observation group CD4+/CD8+ decreased gradually in T1, T2, were lower than T0, T3, T4returned to T0, the observation group T1, T2CD4+/CD8+ was higher than the control group. Conclusion: epidural block combined with intravenous anesthesia for breast cancer radical mastectomy can effectively relieve the stress and inflammatory reaction, alleviate the immunosuppression, and help to restore the postoperative immune function.

A REPORT ON ONE CASE OF CURED PARAPLEGIA INDUCED BY EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA

Chen Suqin,female,39 years old. Patient’s condition and process of diagnosesand treatment:The patient was hospitalized atthe Department of Gynecology in our hospitalowing to right hydrosalpinx.At 9 o’clock onJuly 22,1992,the right hydrosalpinx of patient（would be）excised under continuous epiduralanesthesia.Owing to failure of epidural anesthesia in operation,general anesthesia was used tofinish the operation.At that night of operationand the next day,the patient got out of bed

Pregnant women’s awareness and acceptance of epidural anesthesia and its influence on cesarean section rate control in China: A qualitative study

Background: Epidural anesthesia, as an effective pain relief method, could be viewed as an attempt to encourage vaginal delivery and control cesarean section. Increased demand caused by psychosocial factors such as fear of childbirth and labor pain is supposed to be one predictable drive of high cesarean section rate in present China. Little qualitative information on women’s awareness and perceptions of epidural anesthesia was found, but conscious efforts should be focused on this part to help generate policy-making priority. Methods: This study was carried out under an exploratory descriptive design in Bao’an Maternity and Child Health Hospital. Those interested in participating would be invited to focus group discussion or individual interview according to a semi-structured open-ended guide after collecting the participants’ demographic characteristics. The thematic content analysis approach was used for data analysis. Results: Five major themes were identified: 1. the sources to gain information on epidural anesthesia;2. clinical impact;3. social impact on awareness;4. association between epidural anesthesia and cesarean section;5. attitudes and questions about the current service implementation. Discussions: The interplay between pregnancy knowledge, socio-economic conditions, social support, insurance policy environment, women’s judgment of health care quality influences the ways women acknowledge and utilize epidural anesthesia service. Conclusions: As maternal requested CS due to low pain tolerance emerges gradually, natural labor with epidural anesthesia is a more suitable childbirth option, which is also expected to function in reducing CS rate by service-providers and administrators in the health departments of China besides building up a pain-free labor environment.