Anaesthesia for suction termination of pregnancy

The effect of three anaesthetic techniques on blood loss and intra-uterine pressure changes in response to Syntocinon were studied in patients undergoing routine first trimester suction termination of pregnancy. All patients received a standard premedication, a bolus dose of fentanyl, intravenous induction of anaesthesia and maintenance with nitrous oxide and oxygen plus either intravenous supplementation or 0.5% halothane. Intra-uterine pressure was related to the anaesthetic technique used although blood loss was unrelated either to anaesthetic technique or to intra-uterine pressure changes.     

The depth of the lumbar epidural space from the skin

The depth of the epidural space at different intervertebral interspaces was measured in 1000 parturients. Overall the median distance from the skin to the epidural space was 4.7 cm, but this varied with the lumbar interspace at which it was measured, being greatest at the third (L3-4) interspace (4.93 cm) and least at the first (L1-2) interspace (4.23 cm). The clinical significance of these findings is discussed.