Anaesthesia Techniques for Caesarean Operations: Retrospective Analysis of Last Decade

Abstract

Objective: The technique of anaesthesia in caesarean sections is selected according to the patient's clinical presentation, experience of the anaesthesist and the patient's wishes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anaesthesia methods employed in our clinic in the last decade (2003-2012).

Methods: Records of caesarean operations performed between 2003-2012 in the Anaesthesia department of Atatürk University Medical Faculty and stored in the hospital computer system were examined. The annual distribution of methods of anaesthesia in operations was analysed.

Results: During 2003-2012, 9049 caesarean operations were performed in our clinic. General anaesthesia was used in 45% of operations and regional anaesthesia in 54%. Whereas the rate of regional anaesthesia in 2003 was 34%, this increased to 69% in 2012. The most commonly used method of regional anaesthesia was spinal anaesthesia (34%) in 2003, and spinal anaesthesia (41%) and combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia (27%) in 2012.

Conclusion: The most commonly used anaesthesia technique for caesarean operations in our clinic between 2003-2012 was spinal anaesthesia. The most widely used regional anaesthetic method in our clinic was spinal anaesthesia. A significant increase in the use of the combined spinal-epidural anaesthetic technique occurred in the last two years of the study period.

Keywords: Caesarean section; anaesthetic techniques; general anaesthesia; regional anaesthesia; retrospective evaluation.

Figure 1

Annual distribution of anaesthesia methods used in caesarean section surgeries between 2003 and 2012 Data the number of patients, statistics; *,**, ^†: Chi-square test, *: p<0.01, in comparison of 2003 and 2004 data, **: p<0.01, in comparison with the data of the other years, ^†: p<0.01, in comparison of 2011 and 2012 data

Figure 2

Comparison of anaesthetic methods used in caesarean section surgeries performed between 2003 and 2007 with those performed between 2008 and 2012 Data the number of patients, statistics; *: Chi-square test, *: p<0.01, in comparison of 2003–2007 data

Figure 3

Distribution of caesarean section surgeries performed in 2003 according to the anaesthetic method used

Figure 4

Distribution of caesarean section surgeries performed in 2012 according to the anaesthetic method used