[Complications of loco-regional anaesthesia in obstetrical practice (author's transl)]

Complications of loco-regional anaesthesia in obstetrics are usually due to several factors: 1. choice of drugs: this must be judicious, taking into account duration of effect, potency and eventual maternal and foetal toxicity. This rule includes also morphinic drugs; 2. choice of technique: taking into consideration the stage of labour and also the eventual surgical procedure. Paracervical block must be avoided because of the numerous side-effects, chiefly foetal distress. Spinal anaesthesia is indicated only for instrumental procedures or caesarian section, with the usual reserves about headaches, severe hypotension. Peridural anaesthesia may present some complications, like extensive peridural anaesthesia, hypotension. In eclampsia and gemellarity, loco-regional, anaesthesia must be induced with the utmost caution. Moreover, an unrecognized uterine rupture may happen during labour under medullary anaesthesia if the patient had previously a caesarian section.