Regional versus general anaesthesia for caesarean section

Cochrane Review by Afolabi BB, Lesi FEA, Merah NA

This record should be cited as: Afolabi BB, Lesi FEA, Merah NA. Regional versus general anaesthesia for caesarean section. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004350. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004350.pub2.

ABSTRACT

Title

Regional versus general anaesthesia for caesarean section

Background

Regional and general anaesthesia (GA) are commonly used for caesarean section (CS) and both have advantages and disadvantages. It is important to clarify what type of anaesthesia is more efficacious.

Objectives

To compare the effects of regional anaesthesia (RA) with those of GA on the outcomes of CS.

Search strategy

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 December 2005), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2005, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1966 to December 2005), and EMBASE (1980 to December 2005).

Selection criteria

Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials evaluating the use of RA and GA in women who had CS for any indication.

Data collection and analysis

Two authors independently assessed trials for inclusion, data extraction and trial quality.

Main results

Sixteen studies (1586 women) were included in this review.

Authors' conclusions

There is no evidence from this review to show that RA is superior to GA in terms of major maternal or neonatal outcomes. Further research to evaluate neonatal morbidity and maternal outcomes, such as satisfaction with technique, will be useful.

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