Anesthetic management of 646 consecutive cesarean section cases.

A retrospective analysis of 646 consecutive cesarean deliveries during a 1-year period was performed. The indications for cesarean section, techniques of anesthesia, fetal and maternal outcome, and complications were evaluated. Of 646 cesarean deliveries, 153 (23.7%) were elective and 493 (76.3%) nonelective. Regional block was the main anesthetic technique used for the elective (88.3%) and the nonelective (79.3%) operations. Maternal complications were few and reversible. In 96% of the newborns the Apgar score was greater than or equal to 7 at 5 min. These results suggest that regional block is the preferred anesthetic technique for cesarean section.