Caesarean section anaesthesia : technique and failure rate over a 10-year period – what has changed?

Abstract

It is well established that regional anaesthesia for caesarean section has significant safety benefits for women compared to general anaesthesia. The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) have recommended standards for rates of regional anaesthesia in elective (> 95%) and emergency (> 85%) caesarean sections, as well as rates for conversion from regional to general anaesthesia of < 1% in elective and < 3% in emergency cases. In the current climate and with the concerns surrounding COVID-19, the avoidance of general anaesthesia wherever possible is important as the risk of aerosol generation is reduced.