Anesthesia for cesarean section at The Hospital of Medical School of Dokuz Eylul University between 2005-2010: A retrospective analysis

Objective: This study was planned to investigate the anesthesia techniques used in cesarean sections (C/S) between 2005-2010 at The Hospital of Medical School of Dokuz Eylul University, and to compare the results with the literature data in Turkey and developed countries.Material and methods: After approval of ethical commitee, anesthesia records and informations about C/S cases between 2005-2010 were evaluated retrospectively.Results: During this period, a total of 10.819 labours were carried out and C/S ratio was 55% with 5953 cases. General anesthesia was performed in 1479 cases (24,8%) and regional anesthesia in 4474 cases (75,2%) [Spinal anesthesia for 1203 cases (26,9%), epidural anesthesia for 830 cases (18,5%), combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for 2441 cases (54,6%)]. In 2010, regional anesthesia ratio increased to 84,6% whereas in 2005 it was 63,8%. Regional anesthesia was used significantly more often in both elective and urgent cases (82% elective, 65,2% emergency). Because of failed regional anesthesia or surgical complications, anesthesia was changed to general anesthesia in 215 cases (4,8%). The incidence of hypotension was high with combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. APGAR scores in 1. and 5. minutes were significantly higher with regional anesthesia when compared with general anesthesia.Conclusion: In The Hospital of Medical School of Dokuz Eylul University regional anesthesia rate for C/S cases is increasing and higher than Turkey?s average; but still low when compared with developed countries.Key Words: Caserean section, general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, retrospective study.