Success rate and challenges of fetal anesthesia for ultrasound guided fetal intervention by maternal opioid and benzodiazepine administration

Objective: The safe and effective methods of fetal anesthesia/analgesia during ultrasound guided direct fetal procedure are yet to be determined. The authors investigated whether maternal diazepam/fentanyl administration meets this purpose. Methods: The medical/anesthesia records were retrospectively reviewed in cases between 2001 and 2010 at a tertiary perinatal center. Success rate as well as maternal and fetal complications were analysed. Results: Among the 150 procedures in 118 fetuses, diazepam 10 mg and fentanyl 200 μg sufficiently prevented fetal movement upon the procedure in 56% of the procedures. Supplemental anesthetic agents such as nitrous oxide and propofol were needed in other cases. No serious maternal complication was noted, while fetal cardiac arrest/severe bradycardia was noted in three fetuses, one of which was successfully resuscitated by intracardiac adrenalin injection. Conclusions: Maternal diiazepam/fentanyl administration offered adequate fetal condition without significant maternal complications. Since these procedures are performed to treat severe fetal conditions, preparation for fetal resuscitation is also important.