Abstract

RODRIGUES, Flávia Romano  and  BRANDAO, Maria José Nascimento. Regional anesthesia for cesarean section in obese pregnant women: a retrospective study. Rev. Bras. Anestesiol. [online]. 2011, vol.61, n.1, pp. 17-20. ISSN 0034-7094.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-70942011000100002.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of the data gathering was to indentify anesthetic techniques, and their difficulties and complications in patients with BMI > 30 kg.m^-2 undergoing cesarean sections. The study intends to support the development of new protocols and more adequate conducts for this population of pregnant women. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of data and anesthetic complications in obese patients older than 18 years of age who underwent cesarean sections from January 2004 to December 2006; variables investigated included: age, weight, height, BMI, physical status (ASA), anesthetic techniques, difficulties in palpation and puncturing, hemodynamic complications (bleeding and hypotension), and anesthetic complications. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifteen anesthetic forms were evaluated. Mean age was 29.1 years, mean BMI 39.25, and the majority of patients was classified as ASA II (63.2%). Spinal anesthesia charts used more often, difficulty to puncture was reported in 47 procedures, and difficulty to palpate was reported in 31 procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Technical difficulties as well as hypotension, bleeding, and surgical time were more frequent in patients with higher degrees of obesity.

Keywords : Pregnancy, High-risk; Obesity, Morbid; Anesthesia, Spinal; Anesthesia, Epidural; Cesarean Section; Anesthesia Obstetrical.