The influence of epidural anesthesia on the hearing system after normal labor.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the influence of epidural anesthesia on the hearing system in women undergoing normal labor.

Design: We examined two groups of patients: women with epidural anesthesia underwent four tests of distortion product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAEs): on admission, and fifteen minutes, one hour, and three hours after the last epidural bolus of local anesthetic. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) tests were performed on admission, and one hour, and three hours after the last epidural bolus.

Intra-partum epidural analgesia in grandmultiparous women.

Objective: The present study aimed to characterise grandmultiparous women receiving intra-partum epidural analgesia and investigate associations between this method of pain relief and labour outcomes in grandmultiparas.

Methods: A population-based study was conducted comparing obstetric and perinatal characteristics of grandmultiparous women with and without epidural analgesia. Deliveries occurred during the years 1988-2006.

The effect of epidural analgesia on labor progress and outcome in nulliparous women.

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the influence of epidural analgesia on labor progress and outcome in nulliparous women.

Methods: A population-based study comparing women with and without epidural analgesia was conducted. Deliveries occurred during 1988-2006 at the Soroka University Medical Center.

Development of abdominal pain and IBS following gynecological surgery: a prospective, controlled study.

Background & Aims: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) develops after bacterial enteritis that causes injury to the bowel mucosa. It's unclear whether abdominal pain or IBS results from gynecological surgery that could injure abdominopelvic nerves. The aim of this prospective, controlled study was to assess the incidence of pain or IBS in women undergoing elective gynecological surgery compared to non-surgical controls and to identify factors associated with their development.

Ketamine attenuates neutrophil activation after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Unlabelled: Surgery is associated with activation of neutrophils and their influx into affected tissue. The pathogenic role of superoxide production generated by activated neutrophils has been documented repeatedly. Ketamine suppresses neutrophil oxygen radical production in vitro.