Effect of General Anesthesia versus Spinal Anesthesia in Cesarean Section on Regain of Gastrointestinal Motility

Background: cesarean section is a common major hospital surgical procedure performed nowadays. One of the most common postoperative complications is postoperative gastrointestinal paralysis (Ileus) that must be minimized due to its possible serious consequences. Objectives: this study aims to compare the time to regain intestinal motility after general anesthesia versus spinal anesthesia for cesarean section. Methods: this prospective controlled study was carried out at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital during the period from April 2016 to June 2017 after approval of the hospital health ethical committee. It included 150 patients who had C.S and they were subdivided into 2 groups according to a randomization scale (spinal versus general). Results: spinal anesthesia results in a quicker return of bowel activity after cesarean section, decreased hospital stay and less use of post-operative opioids than general anesthesia. Recommendations: we recommend the use of spinal anesthesia for cesarean section especially if there's no contraindication for that.