Methods and complications of anesthesia in cesarean/section operations: Retrospective evaluations of 3552 cases

Abstract

Objective: This study was planned to find out the anesthesia techniques used and complications observed in cesarean-sections (C/S) between 1997-2002 and the preferences of anesthesiologists and obstetricians about anesthetic methods applied for C/S in the hospital of Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine. Material and Methods: Anesthesia records of 3552 C/S cases between 1997 and 2002, in the hospital of Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine were evaluated for anesthesia techniques used and complications. Anesthesia preferences for C/S of doctors working in the Anesthesiology and Obstetric-gynecology departments in the university hospital were asked. Results: Regional anesthesia rate has increased from 3% in 1997 to 26.9% in 2002 and spinal anesthesia was the most common regional anesthesia applied for C/S. Cardiovascular and circulatory complications were similar. When we asked the question "Which kind of anesthesia would you prefer if you or your relatives had undergone a C/S operation?" to the anesthesiologist and obstetricians, the predominant preference was spinal anesthesia. We asked a second question "Which kind of anesthesia would you prefer if you had been an anesthesiologist or obstetrician in C/S?" to the same groups, while anesthesiologists preferred regional anesthesia the obstetricians had a tendency for general anesthesia. Conclusion: Regional anesthesia for C/S has progressively increased in the hospital of Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine, and the ratio was similar to the other centers in Turkey but lower compared to developed countries. Anesthesiologists preferred regional anesthesia much more frequently than obstetricians did. Copyright © 2005 by Türkiye Klinikleri.