Difficult epidural placement in obese and non-obese pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The rising rate of obesity is of worldwide concern. It is predicted that by 2022, 80% of American adults will be overweight or obese1 and obesity is now the most prevalent threat for a healthy pregnancy outcome.2 Of the four million women who give birth in the United States (US) each year, an estimated 1.6 million receive epidural analgesia during delivery.3 Obesity-related diseases such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes, cardiopulmonary diseases and obstructive sleep apnoea reduce the safety margin of anaesthetic drugs in obese parturients.

Source: International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia - May 28, 2019 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: N. Uyl, E. de Jonge, C. Uyl-de Groot, C. van der Marel, J. Duvekot Tags: Original Article Source Type: research