Anesthesia for Nonobstetric Surgery in Pregnancy

Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Jun;63(2):351-363. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000532.

Abstract

Nonobstetric surgery during pregnancy occurs in 1% to 2% of pregnant women. Physiologic changes during pregnancy may have an impact when anesthesia is needed. Anesthetic agents commonly used during pregnancy are not associated with teratogenic effects in clinical doses. Surgery-related risks of miscarriage and prematurity need to be elucidated with well-designed studies. Recommended practices include individualized use of intraoperative fetal monitoring and multidisciplinary planning to address the timing and type of surgery, anesthetic technique, pain management, and thromboprophylaxis. Emergency procedures should be performed immediately and elective surgery should be deferred during pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / prevention & control*
  • Anesthesia* / adverse effects
  • Anesthesia* / methods
  • Anesthetics / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Fetal Monitoring / methods*
  • Humans
  • Monitoring, Intraoperative / methods
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / prevention & control*
  • Pregnancy / physiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications* / classification
  • Pregnancy Complications* / surgery
  • Risk Adjustment / methods
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / adverse effects
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / methods*

Substances

  • Anesthetics