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Review Article| Volume 51, 103548, August 2022

The role of total intravenous anaesthesia for caesarean delivery

Published:April 08, 2022DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijoa.2022.103548

      Highlights

      • Total intravenous anaesthesia is used infrequently for caesarean delivery.
      • Total intravenous anaesthesia may confer benefit in obstetric anaesthesia.
      • Practical barriers to total intravenous anaesthesia in obstetrics must be addressed.

      Abstract

      Obstetric general anaesthesia technique usually involves intravenous induction and maintenance with volatile agents. Total intravenous anaesthesia has gained in popularity in non-obstetric practice because of environmental concerns associated with volatile inhalational anaesthetics and evidence of a superior recovery profile. Publications on the use of total intravenous anaesthesia for caesarean delivery are sparse. The limited evidence suggests that total intravenous anaesthesia may confer benefits for caesarean delivery, including reducing the risk of haemorrhage. However, there are practical barriers to utilising total intravenous anaesthesia in obstetric anaesthesia. We discuss the evidence and potential role of total intravenous anaesthesia for caesarean delivery.

      Keywords

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