Incidence of obesity in parturients scheduled for caesarean section, intra-operative complications, management and outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of obesity in parturients scheduled for Caesarean section, identify intra-operative complications, management and outcome.


METHODS
A prospective observational study.


METHODS
University of Benin Teaching Hospital, a university-affiliated tertiary centre.


METHODS
Parturients scheduled for Caesarean section excluding patients in American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) health status 4 and 5.


RESULTS
Three hundred patients were recruited in the study. One hundred and forty eight (49.3%) were non-obese (BMI < 30kgm2) while 152 (50.7%) were obese (BMI >30kgm(-2)). The incidence of obesity was extremely significant P<0.0001, t = 19.721 and 95% C.I. = 11.998 - -9.820. Twenty four percent of the obese and 6% of the non-obese parturients had intercurrent medical diseases. 40.5% of the non-obese parturients had general anaesthesia while 13.1% of the obese parturients were offered general anaesthesia. The incidence of intra-operative complications was higher in the obese group. P<0.0001; extremely significant. Odds ratio = 3.647; 95% C.I. of 2.0007 - 6.626. The most common complications were hypotension (n = 14), shivering (n = 12) and inadequate anaesthesia (n = 8).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high incidence of obesity in parturients. This group of patients constitutes a high risk group in obstetric anaesthesia. The incidence of complications was higher in the obese than in the non-obese.
Edomwonyi
N P
NP
Department of Anaesthesia, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 1111, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Osaigbovo
P E
PE
D000328:Adult; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D002585:Cesarean Section; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D036801:Parturition; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome