Practice patterns of anesthesiologists regarding situations in obstetric anesthesia where clinical management is controversial.

A survey consisting of 47 questions, 40 regarding clinical practice and 7 regarding demographics, was mailed to 153 directors of obstetric anesthesia in academic practice and to 153 anesthesiologists in private practice. Questions relating to the following areas of practice were asked: 1) preoperative laboratory testing; 2) preeclampsia and possible coagulopathies; 3) epidural catheter placement in women with "spinal problems"; and 4) use of epidural opioids and intravenous supplementation. Surveys were returned by 113 (74%) academic anesthesiologists and 94 (61%) private practice anesthesiologists. By univariate analysis, 14 questions showed a significant difference in response between those in academic and private practice, but only eight remained significant after accounting for the amount of clinical time currently devoted to obstetric anesthesia (>50% or < or = 50%). These eight questions related to preoperative laboratory testing in the healthy parturient, preoperative laboratory testing in the preeclamptic patient, and the use of intravenous supplementation during a cesarean section with regional anesthesia. Although there were some differences in the responses between anesthesiologists in academic and private practice, overall the responses were similar.