Experience in anesthetic conduct with COVID-19 caesarean sections

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Pregnancy is a physiological state that predisposes women to viral infection;due to its modified physiological, cardiorespiratory and immunological function that occur in pregnancy. Beyond the impact of COVID-19 infection in a pregnant woman, there are concerns related to the possible effect on fetal and neonatal outcome;therefore, pregnant women constitute a group that requires special attention in terms of prevention, diagnosis and care. Objective: To present our experience in the anesthetic conduct of cesarean sections that we have had as a reference center and specialized management in patients with COVID-19 disease within our state. Methods: The data of all the cases of caesarean sections attended within the General Hospital of Cholula in the period between March 15, 2020 and February 28, 2022 were collected. Results: 86 cesarean sections were performed with single dose spinal anesthesia (77.4%), combined in 10 patients (9.4%), the rest of the procedures were performed with general orotracheal anesthesia in 15 patients (13.5%);the most common adverse event was hypotension (86.6%) with the need to use a vasopressor in 90 of them (81%). 40 patients (36.1%) were discharged to intensive care. With a reported mortality of 18.9%. Conclusions: There were no anesthetic accidents, or airway control failures, and no perioperative deaths. © 2022 Sociedad de Anestesiologia de Chile. All rights reserved.