Anesthesia for cesarean section V: effects of enflurane anesthesia on the respiratory adaptation of the newborn in elective cesarean section.

The new anesthetic inhalation agent, enflurane, is supposed to allow rapid induction and recovery. Experinece with this agent in obstetrics is limited. Enflurane was therefore studied in 14 pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section. Its effects upon the respiratory adaptation of the newborn infants were followed during the first 3 hours, as judged by oxygen tensions and acid-base balance measurements in serial neonatal arterial samples. Results were compared with those from a previously studied group of women anesthetized with a barbiturate and nitrous oxide-oxygen. There were no differences with respect to oxygen tension. Carbon dioxide values in the enflurane group were higher than those in the barbiturate group. In comparison with the barbiturate group the enflurane group of babies had lower BD values, which is a sign of a better metabolic state post-partum. Mothers anesthetized with enflurane were satisfied with the method, especially for the post-operative period.