Other

Effects of General and Epidural Anaesthesia in Newborn’s Stres Hormones, Blood Gases, and Apgar Scores in Elective Cesarean Section

  • Meral Ezberci
  • Beyazit Zencirci
  • Hafize Öksüz
  • Melih Atahan Güven

Turk J Obstet Gynecol 2005;2(4):284-289

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of general and epidural anaesthesia in newborn’s stres hormones, blood gases, and Apgar scores in elective cesarean section. MATERIALS-METHODS: 50 patients in ASA II (American Society of Anesthesiology) class who would undergo elective cesarean section in University of Kahramanmaras Sutcuimam, Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation included in the study and randomized into two equal groups (General anaesthesia: Group G and Epidural anaesthesia: Group E). In both groups, newborn stres hormones (TSH, cortisol, and insulin), blood gases, and Apgar scores were studued. All patients received famotidine and granisetron iv 30 min before operations in premedication room. In the general anaesthesia group; aritmal, propofol, and succinylcholine was used for induction and muscle relaxation. Following the induction, positive pressure ventilation of the lungs was started immediately using a 50% N2O + O2 mixture. After delivery of the baby, anaesthesia and muscle relaxation was maintained by 50% N2O +O2, 0,5-1% MAC isoflurane, and cisatracurium. In the epidural anaesthesia group; epidural anaesthesia was performed with 0,375% bupivacaine. The epidural needle inserted through L2-3 or L3-4 interspace. After achieving T4-5 neural blockade, the operation was started. Blood samples for newborn stres hormones and blood gases were taken from umblical vein. The Apgar scores were recorded at 1 min and again at 5 min after the delivery by same person. RESULTS: There were no differences in newborn stress hormones between two groups. In newborn blood gases analyses, only SO2 changes were statistically significant between two groups. There were no differences in newborn Apgar scores between two groups. CONCLUSION: With these results, we concluded that each of the general and epidural anaesthesia techniques have similar effects on newborn blood gases, stress hormones and Apgar scores and can be acceptable alternative for elective cesarean section.

Keywords: apgar scores, blood gases, cesarean section, epidural anaesthesia, general anaesthesia, stres hormones