Clinical evaluation of anesthesia for high-risk cesarean section at a tertiary medical center: retrospective study for 8 years (2009–2016)

OBJECTIVE: The number of high-risk pregnancies is increasing in tertiary medical centers. Therefore, we investigated perioperative outcomes based on risk factors to ascertain proper maternal and neonatal management. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients receiving cesarean sections over an 8-year period. Clinical parameters for anesthesia and the neonatal outcome were compared among high-risk groups after subdivision by the number of clinical risk factors. The groups were as follows: group A (one risk factor), group B (two risk factors), and group C (three or more risk factors). RESULTS: Patient age, estimated blood loss (EBL), and volume of transfused red blood cell (RBC) were higher in group B than group A. Birth weight, 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, and gestational age were lower while the frequency of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission was higher in group B than group A. Group C patients were significantly older than group A or B patients. Birth weight, 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores and gestational age were significantly lower while frequency of NICU admission was higher in group C than group A and B. CONCLUSION: The number of maternal risk factors was positively associated with adverse outcomes in the neonates.