Objective:
The choice of anesthesia method in cesarean section is important. The most appropriate method for the maintenance of the health of the mother and the fetus must be selected. In our clinic, both spinal anesthesia (SA) and general anesthesia (GA) have been applied and in this paper we aimed to evaluate the maternal effects of the two methods retrospectively.
Material and Methods:
In this study, 100 patients who underwent cesarean delivery between 2012-2013, ( 50 spinal, 50 general anesthesia,) had no surgery and systemic disease were included. Demographic data, duration of surgery, time to the birth of the fetus, preoperative and postoperative complete blood count, duration of hospitalization and postoperative complications were recorded.
Results:
Among patients who underwent general anesthesia and spinal anesthesia, there was not any statistically significant difference in terms of age, gravida, parity, time to expulsion of the fetus, the duration of hospitalization and complication rate. Various complications occurred in 20% of patients in the postoperative period. Complication rate was not significantly different between patients who underwent general anesthesia and spinal anesthesia. Duration of surgery in patients who underwent general anesthesia was statistically significantly higher than in other patients. Preoperative and postoperative decrease in maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were statistically significantly higher in general anesthesia than in spinal anesthesia.
Conclusion:
General and spinal anesthesia in cesarean section have no superiority to each other, in terms of time to expulsion of the fetus, the number of hospitalized days and postoperative complications. However, the use of spinal anesthesia gives rise to less blood loss and shorter operative times. Spinal anesthesia should be preferred, especially in cases where maternal anemia and uterine atony risk is high.
Keywords: Cesarean section, general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia