[A clinical report of 11 years' experience of anesthesia for cesarean section (n = 721)--particularly spinal anesthesia (n = 648)--in a hospital outpatient clinic].

Abstract

Experience with anesthesia for cesarean sections in a small obstetric and gynecology clinic attached to a general hospital is reported. The course of cases and the particular circumstances are described. During a period of 11 years 721 cesarean sections were performed, 643 (90%) under hyperbaric spinal anesthesia. The remaining operations were performed under general anesthesia. The distribution of elective and emergency cases to the different anesthetic methods is shown. In the early years size G22 needles where most frequently used, while later size G25 was used. The average extent of anesthesia with spinal anesthetic agents was to T 6.2 +/- 1.4. Some indications for intubation anesthesia and special features of spinal anesthetics are listed. The Apgar scores were 8.3 for 1 min and 9.5 for 5 min. In contrast to the patients operated on under general anesthesia, the majority of the patients treated during spinal anesthesia received (prophylactic) hypotensive treatment. There were no severe complications or deaths related to anesthesia. Some important points related to spinal anesthesia for cesarean sections are mentioned. The results show that with attention to detail and observation of correct procedures by qualified anesthetists, the vast majority of cesarean sections can be done very successfully under spinal anesthesia.