THE The Management of Anaesthesia in Caesarean Section of Pregnant Women with COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative clinical status on the choice of anesthesia method and the postoperative maternal and fetal outcomes in the caesarean section of pregnant women with COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Materials and Methods: Pregnant women with COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome, for whom caesarean sections were planned, were included in this retrospective study. Clinical features, preoperative findings and treatments, maternal and fetal outcomes in the preoperative period, intensive care needs, and hospital stay were evaluated.

Results: Ten patients who underwent caesarean section were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 34±1.82 and the mean gestational week was 33.1±3.88. Chronic disease was present in 44.4% of them. Sixty percent of the patients were admitted to the postoperative intensive care unit. Eighty percent of the newborns were preterm and half of the newborns needed intensive care unit hospitalization.

Conclusion: The clinical features of pregnant women with COVID-19 are similar to those reported for non-pregnant adults with COVID-19, but respiratory parameters of pregnant women with COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome deteriorate rapidly and should be monitored closely. Preoperative clinic status and oxygenation are the most important determinants in the selection of anesthesia type for the caesarean section.