title: Spinal versus general anesthesia in cesarean sections: the effects on postoperative pain perception.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare postoperative pain perception and analgesia requirements in patients undergoing cesarean section (CS) using general versus spinal anesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, observational study of patients undergoing elective CS during 2009 under either general or spinal anesthesia. Postoperative pain intensity and analgesia requirements were evaluated for up to 48 h after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 153 women were enrolled; 77 received general and 76 received regional anesthesia. Postoperative meperidine requirements in the first 24 h were significantly higher in the general anesthesia group. Pain scores were mostly comparable between the groups. Nevertheless, lower pain scores were graded after 8 h in the general versus the spinal anesthesia and this reversed at 48 h.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spinal anesthesia is comparable to general anesthesia in terms of post-operative pain control. In choosing the type of anesthesia in CS, other factors such as the urgency and potential maternal and fetal hazards should be taken into account.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. kessousr@bgu.ac.il
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kessous
authors.forename: Adi Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Weintraub
authors.forename: Arnon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiznitzer
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zlotnik
authors.forename: Gali
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pariente
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Polachek
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Press
authors.forename: Barak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aricha-Tamir
authors.forename: Adi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leizerovich
authors.forename: Eyal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sheiner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008614:Meperidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D058748:Pain Perception; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008614:Meperidine