Comparison between the Side Effects of Spinal and General Anaesthesia During Caesarean Section

Abstract

Background: Caesarean section is one of the most commonly performed operation technique throughout the world. General and spinal anaesthesia are the two anaesthetic techniques used during caesarean section. Studies have recorded various advantages and disadvantages of both of these anaesthetic techniques. Therefore, the present study was designed to compare the adverse effects of general anaesthesia and spinal anesthesia during caesarean operation. Subjects and Methods: This study was carried out in the department of anaesthesia of the District Hospital, Datia from January 2018 to July 2018. Study population was divided broadly into two study groups; Group I contained patients who underwent caesarean section under general anaesthesia and Group II included patients who underwent caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. Blood samples were collected by vein puncture and assessment of haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count and other haematological parameters was done and data were recorded. Various side-effects after surgery were noted which included various clinical signs and symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headache, pain and other clinical symptoms. Results: There was a significant decrease in RBCs, haemoglobin and platelet count after caesarean section in general anaesthesia group compare to spinal anaesthesia group. Nonetheless, there was an insignificant difference between RBCs (p>0.05), haemoglobin (p>0.05) and platelet count (p>0.05) after surgery between both groups. There was fever after operation in 16% patients of group I general anaesthesia while no patient of group II spinal anaesthesia group had fever. Vomiting was observed in 8% patients of group I while 12% patients of group II. Headache and pain were recorded in 24% and 28% general anaesthesia patients while 44% of spinal anaesthesia patients showed both headache and pain. Conclusion: Findings of our study showed that general anaesthesia was associated with increase of WBC count, decrease of RBC count, haemoglobin and platelet count. On the other hand, side effects of spinal anaesthesia like vomiting, pain, headache were greater compare to general anaesthesia. Each technique of anaesthesia has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, we recommend that the clinician should decide the type of anaesthesia technique on the basis of haematological and clinical parameters of the patients.