Abstract

Objective: We aimed to compare the effects of general anaesthesia versus combined spinal epidural anaesthesia on maternal haemodynamic variables and APGAR scores and umblical vein blood gas parameter of newborns.

Study design: After the approval from Medical Ethics Committee and written informed consent, 30 parturients undergoing caesarean section operation, randomly allocated to receive either general anaesthesia (in Group GA) (n:15) or combined spinal epidural anaesthesia (Group CSEA) (n:15) were included the study. Non invasive arterial blood pressure, heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation values were recorded before anaesthesia (baseline) and thereafter with 5 min intervals until at the end of surgical procedure. Following delivery, a segment of the umblical cord was doubtly clamped and umblical vein blood gas samples were taken and APGAR scores were recorded at 1 and 5 min.

Results: Mean arterial blood pressure (MBP) and heart rate (HR) values were significantly higher in Group CSEA compared to Group GA at 5th min (p

Key words: Caesarean section, anaesthesia, general, combined spinal epidural