J Oji-Zurmeyer1, C M Ortner2, K U Klein3, M Gries4, C Kühn5, T Schroffenegger6, G Putz7, S Jochberger7. 1. Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: julia.oji-zurmeyer@tirol-kliniken.at. 2. Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. 3. Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria. 4. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria. 5. Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Kepler University Hospital Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria. 6. University of Education in Vorarlberg, 6800 Feldkirch, Austria. 7. Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the current obstetric anaesthetic practices in Austria by performing a comprehensive questionnaire survey. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent via email to key anaesthesiologists from obstetric anaesthesia departments of 81 hospitals registered at the Austrian Ministry of Health. RESULTS: Of 81 departments contacted, 65 (80%), covering 84% of annual births in Austria, responded to the 82-question survey. Epidural analgesia was offered universally, at a rate under 30% in 56 (86%) of respondent hospitals. The caesarean section rate was under 30% in 44 (68%) respondent obstetric units. All respondents provided spinal anaesthesia as the primary anaesthetic technique for elective caesarean section. Three (5%) respondents administered long-acting intrathecal morphine and 18 (28%) respondents did not routinely administer any intrathecal opioid. Wound infiltration for acute postoperative pain control was practiced in two (3%) respondent units. A transversus abdominis plane block was offered as rescue analgesia in 14 (22%) departments. Spinal hypotension was treated using a prophylactic phenylephrine infusion in two (3%) respondent hospitals. Prophylactic antibiotics were administered prior to skin incision by 31 (48%) respondents. CONCLUSION: This survey reveals that obstetric anaesthetic practices in Austria differ in part from current European and American guidelines. Findings will direct the national workforce on obstetric anaesthesia that aims to introduce into Austria practice guidelines, based on international collaborations and guideline recommendations.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the current obstetric anaesthetic practices in Austria by performing a comprehensive questionnaire survey. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent via email to key anaesthesiologists from obstetric anaesthesia departments of 81 hospitals registered at the Austrian Ministry of Health. RESULTS: Of 81 departments contacted, 65 (80%), covering 84% of annual births in Austria, responded to the 82-question survey. Epidural analgesia was offered universally, at a rate under 30% in 56 (86%) of respondent hospitals. The caesarean section rate was under 30% in 44 (68%) respondent obstetric units. All respondents provided spinal anaesthesia as the primary anaesthetic technique for elective caesarean section. Three (5%) respondents administered long-acting intrathecal morphine and 18 (28%) respondents did not routinely administer any intrathecal opioid. Wound infiltration for acute postoperative pain control was practiced in two (3%) respondent units. A transversus abdominis plane block was offered as rescue analgesia in 14 (22%) departments. Spinal hypotension was treated using a prophylactic phenylephrine infusion in two (3%) respondent hospitals. Prophylactic antibiotics were administered prior to skin incision by 31 (48%) respondents. CONCLUSION: This survey reveals that obstetric anaesthetic practices in Austria differ in part from current European and American guidelines. Findings will direct the national workforce on obstetric anaesthesia that aims to introduce into Austria practice guidelines, based on international collaborations and guideline recommendations.