Öz
Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the effects of
general and spinal anesthesia on postoperative pain intensity and
analgesic agent requirements in patients scheduled for emergent or
elective cesarean sections.
Patients and Methods: This was a prospective, observational
study conducted in patients underwent emergent or elective
cesarean delivery under spinal or general anesthesia. Postoperative
pain intensity and analgesic agent requirements, postoperative
complications and patients’ satisfactions were evaluated during the
first 48 h postoperatively.
Results: A total of 212 parturients were enrolled; 104 (53
elective, 51 emergent) patients received general and 108 (54
elective, 54 emergent) patients received spinal anesthesia.
Preoperatively, patients who underwent emergent cesarean section
under spinal or general anesthesia had higher Numeric Rating Scale
(NRS) scores than the patients who underwent elective cesarean
delivery (p<0.001). In the first postoperative 48 h, NRS pain
scores were similar in patients who underwent emergent or elective
cesarean sections under spinal or general anesthesia. Postoperative
analgesic agent requirements and patients’ satisfactions were not
statistically significant between groups.
Conclusion: The effects of general and spinal anesthesia on
postoperative pain were similar in emergent and elective cesarean
sections. Therefore, postoperative analgesic effect should not be a
determining factor in choosing the anesthesia method in cesarean
sections.