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. 2021 Apr 18;11(2):e111272.
doi: 10.5812/aapm.111272. eCollection 2021 Apr.

Effects of General Anesthesia Versus Spinal Anesthesia on Serum Cytokine Release After Cesarean Section: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Maryam Vosoughian  1 , Mastaneh Dahi  1 , Shideh Dabir  1 , Mohammadreza Moshari  2 , Soodeh Tabashi  1 , Zahra Mosavi  1
Affiliations

Effects of General Anesthesia Versus Spinal Anesthesia on Serum Cytokine Release After Cesarean Section: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Maryam Vosoughian et al. Anesth Pain Med. .

Abstract

Background: Tissue damage caused by major surgery, such as cesarean section, may lead to a poor host immune response and excessive release of cytokines. These responses may increase the risk of infection, cause postoperative pain, and exert damaging effects on various body organs.

Objectives: Anesthesia methods may affect cytokine production after surgery. This study aimed to compare the serum levels of cytokines in general and spinal anesthesia among women undergoing cesarean section.

Methods: Thirty parturients (ASA class I and II) undergoing cesarean section were randomly assigned into two equal groups of spinal anesthesia and general anesthesia. Blood samples were taken for measuring the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) before induction of anesthesia and 30 minutes after entering the recovery room.

Results: In the general anesthesia group, the postoperative serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher than the corresponding preoperative levels. Significant differences were found between the two groups in the preoperative and postoperative levels of TNF-α. Changes in the IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations were significantly higher in the general anesthesia group as compared to the spinal anesthesia group. However, there was no significant difference in the IL-6:IL-10 and TNF-α: IL-10 ratios between the two groups.

Conclusions: General anesthesia, as compared to spinal anesthesia, significantly increased the IL-6 and TNF-α levels after cesarean section. Therefore, the spinal anesthesia technique may be a better option for patients undergoing cesarean section.

Keywords: Cesarean Section; Cytokines; General Anesthesia; Spinal Anesthesia.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interests: There was no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. The CONSORT flow diagram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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