Abstract

MAYORGA BUIZA, M.J.; CABA BARRIENTOS, F.; SUAREZ CORDERO, F.  and  ECHEVARRIA MORENO, M.. Epidural analgesia during labour of a patient with multiple sclerosis. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2010, vol.17, n.5, pp.239-241. ISSN 1134-8046.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS), and twice as prevalent in women, 70% of whom are of fertile age. From an anaesthetics point of view, due to it being a disease with a high neurological susceptibility it can be aggravated by, the surgery itself, the anaesthetic technique and the medication used. On the other hand, it is about how to meet the demand for analgesia during labour by women with MS, which is the age group with a higher incidence of the disease. We present the case of a 37 year-old woman who was diagnosed 3 years before with a remitting, recurring Multiple Sclerosis. The patient was admitted in dilation in the 37th week of gestation. Labour was progressing well and the foetus was in a longitudinal lie and cephalic presentation. The Anaesthesia Department was informed to assess the indication of an epidural for analgesia during labour. The patient had been seen previously in a pre-anaesthesia clinic were she was informed of the risks and benefits of the technique and in her case in particular. Having understood the possible complications arising from this, she had signed the informed consent. We prefer to use the local/regional epidural technique, bearing in mind the potential risk of an urgent caesarean. This is also to avoid, as is the cases when performing an intra-spinal technique or general anaesthesia, the possibilities of triggering a rash, which can occur with these techniques. Besides giving comfort to the patient during labour, it provides analgesia, and for this reason reduces stress in the patient, as well as being able to prevent a rash appearing.

Keywords : Epidural; Multiple sclerosis; Labour.

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