Regional anesthesia for cesarean section in obese pregnant women: a retrospective study.

Background And Objectives: The objective of the data gathering was to identify anesthetic techniques, and their difficulties and complications in patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg.m(-2) undergoing cesarean sections. The study intends to support the development of new protocols and more adequate conducts for this population of pregnant women.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of data and anesthetic complications in obese patients older than 18 years of age who underwent cesarean sections from January 2004 to December 2006; variables investigated included: age, weight, height, BMI, physical status (ASA), anesthetic techniques, difficulties in palpation and puncturing, hemodynamic complications (bleeding and hypotension), and anesthetic complications.

Results: Three hundred and fifteen anesthetic forms were evaluated. Mean age was 29.1 years, mean BMI 39.25, and the majority of patients was classified as ASA II (63.2%). Spinal anesthesia charts used more often, difficulty to puncture was reported in 47 procedures, and difficulty to palpate was reported in 31 procedures.

Conclusions: Technical difficulties as well as hypotension, bleeding, and surgical time were more frequent in patients with higher degrees of obesity.