What is the Relationship between a Gynecologist/Obstetrician and the Airway?

Abstract

Physiological changes in pregnancy as part of biohumoral and morphological changes (hyperemia, edema, hypersecretion) influence the possible problems in obstetric anesthesia. These changes by themselves, and particularly aggravated by acute or chronic gestational or non-gestational comorbidity, increase the risk of aspiration of gastric contents, failed intubation, esophageal intubation, inadequate ventilation, and respiratory failure. The types of premedication, anesthesia and techniques of anesthesia are evident from medical historiography. Almost obligatory promethazine and atropine was given intravenously either in the delivery room or on the operating table immediately before the induction of anesthesia in a dose of 0.5 mg in partuients of average body weight. Atropine has been a favorite premedicant for decades, given its pharmacological properties, especially its antisialogenic effect and absence of a depressant effect on the fetoplacental unit, but today it is rarely used. Nasal decongestants before surgery are not recommended but in cases of severe rhinitis, atropine, promethazine, or topical decongestants may be used.

Keywords

• Airway
• Obstetrics
• Obstetric anesthesiology
• High-risk parturient
• Pregnancy