Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of Cesarean Sections and the Effect of General and Spinal Anesthesia

Abstract

The rate of cesarean sections in Iraq has been increasing in recent years. General anesthesia and spinal anesthesia are the two main options for anesthesia during cesarean sections. However, maternal and neonatal outcomes of cesarean sections could affected by the type of anesthesia utilized in the operation. We aimed to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes of cesarean sections and study the effect of general and spinal anesthesia. Therefore, a prospective comparative study conducted at Al-Najaf city, Iraq during the period from  June 2021 to January 2023. The study included 100 Iraqi women who were planned to undergo elective cesarean section. And were assigned to receive either general or spinal anesthesia according to their indications.  We found that previous cesarean sections and maternal request were the commonest indications for elective cesarean sections. Both anesthesia techniques were safe and satisfactory to patients and the surgeons. Postoperatively, significant changes were reported, in general anesthesia group,  systolic blood pressure  was higher,  heart rate and Hematocrit were lowered compared to the spinal anesthesia group  , (P. value <0.05). In conclusion, both general ansd spinal anesthesia were safe and comparable. However, general anesthesia was associated with relatively larger amount of blood loss, and higher proportion of neonates with 5 minutes Apgar score <7.