Anesthesia of single low-dose epidural block combined with continuous epidural block for cesarean section

Objective To investigate anesthetic effect,complications,risks,and clinical applicability of single low dose epidural block combined with continuous epidural block for cesarean section(referred here as single low-dose + continuous epidural block).Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical anesthesia data was conducted to 39 patients with cesarean section,who were divided into three groups: single low-dose + continuous epidural block(group A,n=15),spinal anesthesia-continuous epidural anesthesia(CSEA)(group B,n=14),and conventional continuous epidural block(group C,n=10).Results After anesthesia induction and before the beginning of operation,there were significant differences between groups B and C and group A(P0.05).The block effect of group B was the best,followed by group A and group C.At the beginning of the operation,there were respectively 86.67%,92.86%,and 90% patients in the three groups,whose of block levels were higher or equal than T10.There were respectively 40%,7.14% and 50% patients who were administered with analgesics and sedatives.During operation,there was only one patient with light general anesthesia in group C.There were more patients who took vasopressors in perioperative period in group B than in group A.Conclusion Anesthetic effect and induction speed of single low-dose + continuous epidural block was only next to those of the CSEA,but slightly better than the conventional continuous epidural block.As long as it is used properly,the intraoperative and postoperative anesthetic complications and risks are lower than those of CSEA.