Comparison of Regional and General Anesthesia in Cesarean Sections: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Govt. Hospital

Abstract

Background: Anesthesia choice during cesarean sections significantly influences maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Narayanganj 300-Bed Hospital, Bangladesh, from June 2023 to May 2024. A total of 112 pregnant women undergoing elective or emergency cesarean sections were enrolled. Among them, 72 received spinal anesthesia (RA group), and 40 received general anesthesia (GA group). Data were collected on intraoperative events, postoperative recovery parameters, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes, and maternal satisfaction. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Neonates in the regional anesthesia (RA) group had significantly higher Apgar scores at both 1 minute (7.8 ± 0.6) and 5 minutes (8.9 ± 0.4) compared to the general anesthesia (GA) group (6.9 ± 0.7 and 8.1 ± 0.5 respectively; p < 0.05). Maternal satisfaction was greater in the RA group (90.3%) than in the GA group (57.5%). Recovery was faster in the RA group, with earlier ambulation (7.2 ± 1.1 vs. 13.5 ± 1.8 hours) and shorter hospital stay (2.1 ± 0.6 vs. 3.3 ± 0.8 days; p < 0.05). Postoperative nausea and vomiting were significantly lower in the RA group (8.3%) than in the GA group (27.5%). Other complications were infrequent and comparable between groups. Conclusion: Regional (spinal) anesthesia offers superior maternal and neonatal outcomes compared to general anesthesia in cesarean sections. It results in better neonatal Apgar scores, enhanced maternal satisfaction, fewer complications, and faster postoperative recovery.