The Role of Types of Anesthesia on Maternal Blood Parameters among Women Underwent Cesarean Section

Abstract

Background:   As the rates of caesarean births have increased, the type of cesarean section has gained importance.    

Objective: To compare between maternal pre/postoperative hematological parameters ( hemoglobin and hematocrit  level), in addition to blood transfusion needed among pregnant women that underwent elective cesarean section under spinal and general anesthesia.            Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on 110 women underwent cesarean section during the period from the 1st of June  2013 to the 1st of July 2015 at Department  of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Al-Noo'man Teaching Hospital/Baghdad. The study participants were randomly divided into two equal groups according to the type of anesthesia performed (55 cases for general anesthesia group and 55 cases for spinal anesthesia group). The changes in the maternal blood parameters including hemoglobin and hematocrit values in addition to blood transfusion needed were reported and compared between the two groups in pre and post-operative cesarean sections.                    

Results: The preoperative hemoglobin and hemaotocrit was insignificantly difference in the two groups. The mean hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations were significantly reduced in women with general anesthesia compared to spinal anesthesia. Mean hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations loss in spinal anesthesia group was significantly lower than in general anesthesia group. The requirement of blood transfusion after surgery was significantly higher among women undergone cesarean section under general anesthesia compared to those with spinal anesthesia.

Conclusion: Spinal anesthesia is a better choice of anesthesia as it reduces the amount of blood loss (less reduction in hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations) and requirement of the post-operative blood transfusion.