Abstract
The respiratory effects of epidural anesthesia on the patients of Cesarean section are comparatively studied with the control group of the same patients in supine position.
Sitting position without anesthesia increased ERV accompanying VC and FVC as well, while it decreased %FEV1.0, PFR, and V75. This is considered to be due to the anterior shift of the uterus and the resultant decreased tonus of the abdominal muscles.
Epidural anesthesia producing the highest level of block up to T4-T6 increased TV significantly with IRV and ERV remaining unchanged. Regardless of the level of block, epidural anesthesia significantly decreased %FEV1.0, MMF, PFR, V75, V50, and V25. This might be because the anesthesia shifted the uterus laterally and paralized the abdominal muscles partially. Sitting position and epidural anesthesia had no effects on the blood gas contents.
We concluded that the improved TV by epidural anesthesia on Cesarean section patients best justifies the indication of the anesthesia to the procedure. The accompanying complications have been sucessfully managed to the best results in our institution.
