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Amnioinfusion: Technique

INTRODUCTION

Amnioinfusion refers to the instillation of fluid into the amniotic cavity. This procedure is typically performed during labor through an intrauterine pressure catheter introduced transcervically after rupture of the fetal membranes. Alternatively, fluid can be infused through a needle transabdominally, the reverse process of amniocentesis. (See "Insertion of intrauterine pressure catheters" and "Diagnostic amniocentesis".)

The technical aspects of amnioinfusion will be reviewed here. The indications for, and outcome of, the procedure are discussed separately. (See "Amnioinfusion: Indications".)

PROPHYLACTIC ANTIBIOTICS

In the absence of other indications for antibiotic use, we do not administer antibiotics during amnioinfusion. A randomized trial showed that prophylactic use of cefazolin in the infusate (1 g/1000 mL of normal saline) did not significantly reduce rates of maternal or neonatal infection [1].

TRANSCERVICAL APPROACH

The transcervical approach is preferred for women in labor because it does not require ultrasound guidance and the catheter can be used for repeated fluid instillation. After rupture of the fetal membranes, an intrauterine pressure catheter is inserted using standard technique and attached to intravenous extension tubing; a pediatric nasogastric feeding tube can be used if an intrauterine pressure catheter is not available [2]. The catheter is used to infuse Lactated Ringers solution without dextrose into the amniotic cavity. We prefer Lactated Ringers to normal (0.9 percent) saline because the latter may cause small changes in the concentration of fetal electrolytes [3]; however, the electrolyte concentrations remain in the physiologic range so normal saline is an acceptable alternative [4,5].

Protocols vary across institutions and no one protocol has been proven to be superior. A survey of obstetrical units revealed that they used the following methods in decreasing order of frequency: (1) a fluid bolus (50 to 1000 mL) followed by a constant infusion, (2) serial boluses (200 to 1000 mL administered every 20 minutes to four hours), and (3) constant infusion (15 to 2250 mL/hour) [6]. A randomized trial found that continuous and intermittent infusions were similarly effective [7].

    

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Literature review current through: May 2013. | This topic last updated: Jan 22, 2013.
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References
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