Peripartum general anaesthesia without tracheal intubation: Incidence of aspiration pneumonia

This study estimated the incidence of pulmonary aspiration during general anaesthesia for obstetric procedures performed in the peripartum period (Caesarean sections were not studied). The records of 1870 patients anaesthetised without tracheal intubation were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnosis of aspiration was based on the anaesthetist's written remarks and the postoperative course. Eighty per cent of patients received ketamine and a benzodiazepine, and the remaining 20% received methohexital or thiopental and fentanyl. No cricoid pressure or tracheal intubation was performed. A single case of mild aspiration was detected in a woman anaesthetised with methohexital (an incidence of 0.053%). These results suggest that the risk of aspiration during general anaesthesia without tracheal intubation, during and immediately after delivery, may not be higher in obstetric patients in the peripartum period, as has been reported previously.