Obstetric Anesthesia

Cesarean section under general anesthesia requires intubation (insertion of a tube through the mouth into the breathing pipe to support breathing during the surgery). A device called a video laryngoscope is used, which has a smooth, curved, or less curved component called 'a blade' that helps the doctor gently see the voice box and guide the breathing tube safely into place during anesthesia; it is not a sharp tool blade. There are two types of video laryngoscopes blades: a Macintosh- style blade with a gentle curve, approximately 90 degrees) and a hyperangulated blade (with a more pronounced curve). Although video laryngoscopes are safe and both types have been used for around 20 years, it is not known whether one type works better that the other in patients undergoing cesarean delivery under general anesthesia. Because general anesthesia is used in only a small proportion (about 5%) of all cesarean deliveries, research in this area is limited. The main purpose of the study is to assess if a study comparing these two types of blades in the obstetric population is feasible. This is also known as a feasibility study, which aims to test the study plan and determine whether enough participants will join a larger study and accept the study procedures. The results will be used as a guide for a larger study.

Epidural analgesia is the gold standard for labor pain management, widely recommended by the WHO and included in Italy's essential levels of care (LEA) since 2017. Despite its clinical benefits and high maternal satisfaction, the procedure remains technically challenging, particularly for anesthesia residents. In our institution, around 40% of laboring women request epidural analgesia. Successful epidural placement requires mastering a complex skillset. Recent studies highlight that simulation-based training significantly enhances learning for novice practitioners. This single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether a pre-rotation simulator-based training improves the success rate of epidural catheter placement among anesthesia residents. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (simulation training plus anatomy lecture) or the control group (standard in vivo training only). The primary outcome is the number of successful catheter placements (defined as completed procedure without tutor intervention). Secondary outcomes include procedure time, complication rates, and satisfaction scores from the residents. The study will involve anesthesia residents in their 4th or 5th year rotating in the labor ward of the Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova. A sample size of 86 participants (43 per group) is required, and data collection will occur over three years.