Difference in outcomes of category 1 caesarean section patients in relation to type of anaesthesia administered: a tertiary university hospital experience

Background: Category-1 caesarean section denotes cases of immediate risk and a life threat to either mother or fetus and delivery is imminent. General anaesthesia (GA) is often the method of choice but it carries significant life threatening risks to the mother. Regional anaesthesia (RA) i.e. single shot spinal anaesthesia, should be considered; as in competent hands it can be performed as quickly and is much safer than GA. Objective: To compare the maternal and fetal outcomes between GA and RA and to prove that at least 50% of category- 1 cases do not require general anaesthesia. Materials and Methods: Data collection of all category-1 caesarean sections were divided and analysed via the anaesthetic regime used (GA or RA). Results: The caesarean section was 47.4%. GA rate of category-1 was 24.3%. No significant difference of fetal outcome between GA and RA. The difference of maternal pre and post-operative haemoglobin is significantly larger in the GA group. Conclusion: RA is a safer method of anaesthesia in more than half the cases of category-1. GA is still a primary method of choice in some cases. Proper and effective communication between obstetricians, anaesthetists, and midwives is vital to ensure the safest treatment is given to patients.