title: Maternal and neonatal effects of methoxyflurane, nitrous oxide and lumbar epidural anaesthesia for Caesarean section.
abstract: General anaesthetic techniques continue to be used for Caesarean section despite the possible increased incidence of foetal acidosis and neonatal depression. Two techniques of general anaesthesia (methoxyflurane-oxygen and nitrous oxide-oxygen) and lumbar epidural anaesthesia were compared in 37 patients under-going elective Caesarean section. Apgar scores at birth were similar in all three groups. Neurophysiological testing of the neonates at six hours and twenty-four hours of age revealed a superiority for the methoxyflurane-oxygen and lumbar epidural techniques, although the babies in the epidural group tended to be hypotonic. Cord blood gas analysis showed the babies in the methoxyflurane group to have a higher PaO2 with less metabolic acidosis than the babies from the other two groups. The maternal effects of the three anaesthetic techniques were similar, with only a small rise in serum fluroide levels noted in the methoxyflurane group.
mesh_terms: D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008733:Methoxyflurane; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D008733:Methoxyflurane; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen