The effect of General Anesthesia Versus Spinal Anesthesia in Restoration of Gastrointestinal Motility after Cesarean Section

Background: Cesarean section is the delivery of a foetus through an open abdominal incision (laparotomy) and a uterine incision (hysterotomy). One of the most common postoperative complications is a dynamic paralysis (ileus) that must be minimized due to its serious consequences including delayed enteral feeding resulting in patient discomfort, prolonged hospitalization and increased health care costs. The pathophysiology of postoperative ileus is multifactorial. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of general versus spinal anesthesia in regain of the intestinal motility after elective cesarean section.

Methods: This randomized clinical study was conducted on 150 pregnant women aged from18 to 35 years, who were set for elective caesarean section under either general or spinal anesthesia, attending to the Obstetrics and Gynecology department from August 2020 to October 2021. The participants were subdivided into 2 equal groups, group I included women delivered by using general anesthesia and group II included women delivered by using spinal anesthesia.

Results: Shows 1st intestinal, 1st passage flatus, 1st passage motion and hospital stay were significantly increased among general group than the spinal group (P = 0.001*).

Conclusions: Spinal anesthesia results in a quicker return of bowel activity after cesarean section than general anesthesia with difference and spinal anesthesia results in a quicker return to home as it decreases the length of hospital stay with significant difference between both groups.