Regional Block versus General Anaesthesia for Caesarean Section and Neonatal Outcomes. A Clinical Comparative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Anaesthesia for caesarean section poses one of the most critical of all problems to the anaesthesiologist. Aim of the present study was to find out an anaesthetic technique for caesarean section in which the babies are delivered in better clinical condition employing Apgar scoring system. Patients and Methods: In the study 180 patients undergoing caesarean section were divided randomly into 3 groups consisting of 60 patients each according to the indication for caesarean section. . Group1: elective post caesarean section. Group 2: failure to progress (urgent section). Group 3: fetal distress (emergency section). In each group 30 patients were given regional block and 30 patients were given general anesthesia. Results: At one minute when the Apgar score was compared for neonatal depression ( Apgar score 0.05) found in group 1 but in group 2 and 3 the difference was significant (P 0.05) between both the techniques in all the three groups. Conclusions: Both general anaesthesia and regional block appear equally safe for babies delivered by elective caesarean section but in unplanned cases regional block provides fetal advantages