Abstract
Background
Spinal anesthesia is commonly employed in gynecological surgeries due to its rapid onset, effective analgesia, and minimal drug exposure compared to general anesthesia. Despite its advantages, intraoperative complications such as hypotension, bradycardia, shivering, and nausea are frequently encountered, which may adversely affect patient outcomes.
Materials and methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted at Lady Aitchison Hospital, Lahore, over a period of four months. A total of 107 patients aged 18–45 years (ASA class II–III) undergoing elective cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia were included. Data regarding intraoperative complications such as hypotension, bradycardia, desaturation, nausea/vomiting, and shivering were recorded and analyzed with spss v 27.
Results
Among 107 participants, 53.3% developed intraoperative hypotension, 17.8% experienced bradycardia, 13.1% had desaturation, 33% suffered from nausea and vomiting, and 46.7% experienced shivering. The findings identified hypotension and shivering as the most prevalent intraoperative complications associated with spinal anesthesia during cesarean sections.
Conclusion
The study revealed that spinal anesthesia, though effective and widely preferred for cesarean delivery, frequently leads to complications such as hypotension and shivering. Proper preoperative assessment, fluid management, and vigilant intraoperative monitoring are essential to minimize these complications. The presence of a skilled and experienced anesthesiologist is critical for early detection and prompt management, thereby ensuring maternal safety and improved surgical outcomes.